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%nMm Scries of f atin Bt\}m\ ^mh. 

PUBLISHED BY CROCKER AND BREWSTER, 

47 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON. 

THE LATIN SCHOOL BOOKS prepared by Prof. E. A. Andrews, exclu 
sive of his Latin-English Lexicon, founded on the Latin-German Lexicon of 
Dr. Frennd, cohstitute two distinct series, adapted to different and distinct pur- 
poses. The basis of the First Series is Andrews' First Latin Book; of the 
Second, Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar. 

FIRST SERIES. 

This Series is designed expressly for those who commence the study of Latin 
at a very early age, and for such as intend to pursue it to a limited extent only, 
or merely as subsidiary to the acquisition of a good English education. It con- 
sists of the following works, viz. : — 

1. Andrews' First Latin Book : or Progressive Les- 
sons in Eeuiling and Writing Latin. This small volume contains most of the 
leading principles and grammatical forms of the Latin language, and, by the 
logical precision of its rules and definitions, is admirably fitted to serve as an 
introduction to the study of general grammar. Th« work is divided into les- 
sons of convenient length, which are so arranged that the student will, in all 
cases, be prepared to enter upon the study of each successive lesson, by pos- 
sessing a thorough knowledge of those Avhich preceded it. The lessons gen- 
erally consist of three parts : — 1st. The statement of important principles in 
the form of rules or definitions, or the exhibition of orthographical or etymo- 
logical forms; 2cl. P^xercises, designed to illustrate such principles or forms; 
aiul 3d. Questions, intended to assist the student in preparing his lesson. In 
addition to the grammatical lessons contained in this voliitne, a few pages 
of Reading Lessons are amiexed, and these are followed by a Dictionary com- 
prising all the Latin Avords contained in the work. This book is adapted to 
the use of all schools above the grade of primary schools, including also Acad- 
emies and Female Seminaries. It is prepared in such a manner that it can be 
used with little difficulty by any intelligent parent or teacher, with no previous 
knowledge of the language. 

2. The Latin Reader, with a Dictionary and Notes, 

containing explanations of difficult idioms, and numerous references to the 
Lessons contained in the First Latin Book. 

3. The Viri Romae, with a Dictionary and Notes, re- 
ferring, like those of the Reader, to the First Latin Book. Tliis series of three 
small volumes, if faithfully studied according to the directions contained in them, 
will not only render the student a very tolerable proficient in the principles of 
the Latin language and in the knowledge of its roots, from which so many words 
of his English language are derived, but will constitute the best prepai'atiou for 
a thorough study of tlie English grammar. 

SECOND SERIES. 

Note. — The "Latin Reader" aad the "Viri Romae," iu this series, are the same as in 
-the first series. 

This Series is designed more especially for those who are intending to become 
thoroughly acquainted with the Latin language, and with the principal classical 
authors of that language. It consists of the following works: — 

1. Latin Lessons. This small volume is designed for the 
younger classes of Latin students, who intend ultimately to take up the larger 
'Grammar, but to whom that work w^ould, at first, appear too fonxiidabie. It 
contains the prominent principles of Latin grammar, expressed in the same 
language as in the larger Grammar, and likewise Reading and Writing Lessons, 
with a Dictionary of the Latin words and phrases occurring in the Lessons. 
1 



KEW SERIES OF LATIN SCHOOL BOOKS. 

2. Latin Grammar. Revised, with Corrections and Ad- 
ditions. A Grammar of the Latin Language, for the use of Schools and Col- 
leges. By Professors E. A. Anokews and S. Stoddard. This work, which 
for many years hiis been the text-book in the department of I^atin Grammar, 
claims the merit of having first introduced into the schools of tliis country tlie 
subject of grammatical analysis, which now occupies a conspicuous ]>lace in 
so many grammars of the English language. More than twenty j^ears have 
elapsed since the first publication of this Granmiar, and it is hardly necessary 
to say that its merits — placing it in a practical view, preHmineutly above every 
other Latin Grammar — liave been so fully appreciated that it iias been adopted 
as a Text Book in nearly every College aiid Seminary in the country. 'I'he 
present edition has not only been thovouyhhj revised and corrected {two years of 
continuous labor havintj been dtvoted to its careful revision, and to the purpose of 
renderiny it tonfuniu(ble in all rtS2)etts to the advanced position irldih it aims to 
OLCupy,) but it contains at least one third more matter than the previous editions. 
To unite the acknowledged excellencies of the older English manuals, and of 
the more recent German grammars, was the special aim of the authors of this 
"work; and to this end jjarticular attention was direct?ed: — 1st. To the prepara- 
tion of more extended rules for the pronunciation of the language ; 2d. 71* a cle(hr 
e.vp>ositivn of its wflectioncd changes ; 3d. To a proper basis of its syntax; and 
4tli. To greater precisio-n in rules and definitions. 

3. Questions on the Grammar. This little volume is 

intended to aid the student in preparing his lessons, and the teacher in con- 
ducting his recitations. 

4. A Synopsis of Latin Grammar, comprising the 

Latin Paradigms, and the Principal Rules of Latin Etymology and Syntax. 
The few pages copposing this work contain those portions of the Grammar to 
which the student lias occasion to refer most frequently in the preparation of 
his daily lessons. 

5. Latin Reader. The Reader, by means of two separate 

and distinct sets of notes, is equally adapted for use m connection either with 
the First Latin Book or the Latin (xrammar. 

6. Viri RomSB. This volume, like the Reader, is furnish- 
ed with notes and references, both to the First Latin Book and to the Latin 
Grammar. The principal difference in the two sets of notes found in each of 
these volumes consists in the somewhat gi-eater fulness of those wliicli belong 
to tlie smaller series. 

7. Latin Exercises. This work contains exercises in 

every department of the Latin Grammar, and is so arranged that it may be 
studied in connection with the Grammar through every stage of the prepara- 
tory course. It is designed to prepare the way for original composition in the 
Latin language, botii in prose and verse. 

8. A Key to Latin Exercises. This Key, in which 

all the exercises in the preceding volume are fully corrected, is intended for 
the use of teachers onh*. 

9. Cgesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War, with a 

Dictionary and Notes. The text of this edition of Caesar has been formed by 
reference to the best German editions. The Notes are principally grammatical. 
The Dictionary, -which, like all the others in the series, was prepared with great 
laboi-, contains the usual significations of the words, together with an explana- 
tion of all such phrases as might otherwise perplex the student. 

10. Sallust. Sallust's Jugurthine War and Conspiracy 

of Cataline, with a Dictionary and Notes. The text of this work, which was 
based upon that of Cortlus, has been modified by reference to the best modem 
editions, especially by those of Kritz and Geriach; and its orthography is, in 

2 



NEW SERIES OF LATIN SCHOOL BOOKS. 



general, conformed to that of Pottier and Planche. The Dictionaries of Caesar 
and Sallust connected with this series are original works, and, in connection 
with the Notes in each volume, furnish a very complete and satisfactory appa- 
ratus for the study of these two authors. 

11, Ovid. Selections from the Metamorphoses and Hej'oides 
of Ovid, with Notes, Grammatical References, and Exercises in Scanning. 
These selections from Ovid are designed as an introduction to Latin poetry. 
They are accompanied with numerous brief notes explanatory of difficult 
phrases, of obscure historical or mythological allusions, and especially of gram- 
matical difficulties. To these are added such Exei-cises in Scanning as serve 
fully to introduce the student to a knowledge of Latin prosody, and especially 
of the structure and laws of hexameter and pentameter verse" 

In announcing the Revised Edition of Andrews and Stoddard's Latin 
Grammar, the Publishers believe it to be quite unnecessary to speak of the 
merits of the work. The fact that in the space of about Tioeniy Years, Sixty- 
Five Editions, numbering above Two Hundred Thousand Copies, 

have been required for the purpose of meeting the steadily increasing demand 
for the work, sufficiently evinces the estimation in which it has been held. 
In preparing this Revised and Enlarged Edition, every portion of the original 
work has been reconsidered in the light of the experience of twentj' years 
spent by the present editor in studies connected with this department of edu- 
cation, and with the aid of numerous publications in the same department, 
which, during this period, have issued from the European press. The results 
of this labor are apparent on almost every page, in new modifications of the 
old materials, and especially in such additional information in regard to its 
various topics as the present advanced state of classical education in this 
coimtry seemed obviously to demand. The publishers commend this new 
edition to the attention of Teachers throughout the country, and express the 
hope that in its present form it will be deemed worthy of a continuance of the 
favor which it has so long received. 

The following are extracts from a few of the many letters the Pxiblishers 
have received from teachers from all parts of the country in commendation 
of this work : — 

The revised edition of Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar is without doubt the 
best published in America I have no doubt that the time is near at hand when this 
series of works will, by all lorers of the classics, be considered as the • National Series.' 
The pronunciation is now by the same class considered the American Standard. I will 
hail with joy the day when every college and school in our country shall have adopted 
Prof Andrews' series as the foundation of true classic knowledge. As such I consider 
it, and for that reason have I used it since I first knew its existence. — Martin Armstrong, 
Potomac Seminary, Roinnty, Va. 

Allow me to say, after a careful examination, that, in my judgment, it is the best 
manual of Latin Grammar to be found in the English language. In revising it the 
author has preserved the happy medium between saying too much and too little, so de- 
sirable for a Latin text-book for this country. In philosophical arrangement, simplicity 
of expression, and for bf»Tity and fulness, it must entitle the author to the first rank 
in American classical scholarship. I shall use it in my classes, and recommend it to all 
teachers of Latin in this country —N. E. Cobleigh, Professor of Ancieiit Languages and 
Literature, in Lawrence University, A^^pleton, Wis. 

I mosi heartily concur in the above recommendation. — F. 0. Blair, Professor in Law- 
rence University. 

The Grammar, as revi..<ed. is, I think, for school purposes supei-ior to any work of the 
kind yet published in America. Philosophic in its arrangement and definitions, and full 
and accurate in its details, i* sets forth the results of the learned researches of the Ger- 
mans in language easy of comprehension and suitable for reference in daily recitations. — 
L. H. Deneen, Lebanon, Illtnois. 

I am highly pleased with the Revised Edition, and consider the additions as decided 
Improvements. In my opinion Dr. Andrews' works surpass all others in the market. 
I gee no reason why the Grammar should not now supersede even Zumpt'i both in the 
Btudy and recitation rooms. — Sidney A. Norton, Hamilton, Ohio. 

3 



NEW SERIES OF LATIN SCHOOL BOOKS. 

T haye reason to believe that the improvements, introduced into the last edition of 
Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar by my respected and lamented friend Dr. An- 
drews, a little before his death, add very decidedly to the value of a work, which has 
done more to give the knowledge of that language to the youth of this country than any, 
perhaps than all others.— TAfoJore W. Woohey, President of Yale College^ New Haven. 

No book, probably, has done more to improve classical training in American schools 
than Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar. Its use is almost universal ; and where it 
has not itself been adopted as a manual, it has made grammars of similar excellence 
necessary. The last edition, the sixty -fifth, was carefully re\ised by the lamented Dr. 
Andrews, not long before his death, by whom it was greatly enlarged by the incorpora- 
tion of much valuable information, derived mainly from the last edition of the Latin 
Grammar of Professor Zonipt. It will therefore be fouud to be much improved as a i"e- 
pository of the principles and facts of the Latin language.— T/io^ias A. Thacher, Profes- 
sor of Latin in Yule College, New Haven. 

It is unneces.sary to commend a Latin Grammar, which has been for twenty year.s in 
common use in our Colleges, and has generally superseded all others. Tne I{evised 
Edition contains the results of the labors of Dr. Andi-ews, during all that time, on va- 
rious Latin Classics, and on his great Latin Lexicon; and cannot, tlierefore, but be 
greatly improved. — Eilward Robinson, D. B., LL. Z)., Prof, of Biblicid Lterature in 
Union Tiieol. Seminary, Neio York City. 

I regard Andrews' and Stoddard's new Latin Grammar, as an exceedingly valuable 
work. It evidently contains the results of the Author's careful and long coutinued in- 
vestigation, and from itz fulness, clearness, and accuracy, will undoubtedly become the 
Standard Latin Grammar of this Continent. In Western New York, we have for a long 
time been using the earlier editions, and the}'' have rapidly won upon the public regard. 
This new edition will give it a stronger claim upon our favor. It must rapidly super- 
sede all others. I can unhesitatingly recommend the New Grammar as the best in use. — 
Lewis H. Clark, Principal of So dies Academy, Wayne Co., N. Y. 

I have looked over the new edition of the Grammar with great interest. It is now 
eighteen years since I introduced it into this college, and I have never felt inclined to 
change it for any other. The revision, without changing its genenil character, ha,s added 
greatly to its fulness and completeness. It is now fully equal to Zumpt's in these re- 
spects, and far superior to it in adaptation to the class room. There is no other school 
grammar that can pretend to compare with it. I have introduced the new edition here, 
and have no idea I shall ever wish to substitute another. The services of Prof. Andrews 
in the cause of classical learning in the United States cannot be over estimated. — ill. Stiir- 
giis, Professor in Hanover College, Indiaiia. 

I am willing to say that I am decidedly in favor of Andrews' Latin Series. — Geo. Gale, 
Galesville University, Wisconsin. 

Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar I consider decidedly the best Latin Grammar 
ever published. — Ranso?n Norton, North Livermore, Maine. 

Such a work as Andrews and Stoddard's Revised Latin Grammar needs no recommend- 
ation, it speaks for itself. — A. A. Keen, Professor of Greek and Latin. Tufts College, 
Medford, Ms. 

I have examined the revised edition of Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar, and 
think it a complete success. I see it has all of Zumpt's merits and none of his defects, 
and welcome its advent with great pleasure. — James M. Wliiton, Hopkins Grammar 
School, New Haven, Conn. 

I have examined Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar, and say. without hesita- 
tion, that the principles of the Latin language can be more easily and systematically 
acquired from it than any woi-k I have ever seen. The arrangement and simplicity of its 
terms are such as to make it easily comprehended by the beginner, while, at the same 
time, its copiousness is sufficient for the most advanced student. The author has evi- 
dently noted and profited by the defects in this respect of most of the Latin Grammars 
now in use. — C. W. Field, Ma-uch Cliunk. Pa. 

The superior merits of the original work are too well known and appreciated to need 
any commendation from me. I have had some means of knowing ho.v great pains and 
labor Dr. Andrews has bestowed upon this final revision and improvement of the work, 
and. therefore, was not uisprepared to find its acknowledged excellence materially in- 
crea.«ed. and I do not hesitat« to suv, that its value has been greatly enhanced, and that 
it has been brought as ne;ir ;•►; pra(:tic!il)le to tlie present state of philological science.— 
John D. Phiibrick, Super! nt$itjdent of Public Schools, city of Boston. 

I have looked the Grammar through with much care and a great degree of satisfaction, 
and T unhesitatingly pronounce it superior to any Latin Grammar in metliod and man- 
ner of di.-;cussiOi), and happily adajited to the wants of both teachers and pupils. — /. W 
Simonds, Principal of Neiv Stigtund Christian Institute, Andover, N. H. 

4 



NEW SERIES OF LATIN SCHOOL BOOKS. 

We have lately introdured the Revised Edition, and regard it as a great improvement 
upon former editions. We shall use it exclusively in future. — E. Flint, Jr., Principal 
of Lee High School. 

After a due examination, I am happy to state that the Author has admirably accom- 
plished the objects which he aimed at in making this last revision. He lias added much 
that is in the highest degree valuable without materially changing the arrangement of 
the oi-iginal work. The work appears to me well adapted to the daily use of our Classi- 
cal Schools, a'nd I shall hereafter direct my classes to use it. — C. L. Cits/nnaii, Principal 
of Peabody High School, South Danvers, Bis. 

The Revised Grammar seems to me greatly improved and to be every thing a scholar 
could wish. — Z. B. Sturgis, C/iarlextown, Indiana. 

I have subjected the Revised Edition to the test of actual use in the recitation room, 
and am persuaded that in its present form it decidedly surpasses every other Latin (Gram- 
mar in point of adfiptation to the wants of students in our Academies, Iligh Schools 
and Colleges. — William S. Palmer, Central High School, Cleaveland, Ohio. 

I think Andrews' Series of Latin Works the most systematic and best arranged course I 
have ever seen, — and belittve if our pupils would use them altogether, we should find 
them much better scholars. I shall use them Avholly in my school. — A. C. Slockin^ 
Principal of Mnm7iouth Academy, Maine. 

The examination of the Revised Edition has afforded me very great pleasure, and leads 
me to express the deep and sincere conviction that it is the most complete Grammar of 
the Latin language with which I am acquainted, and best adapted for ready consultation 
upon any subject connected with the study of Latin Authors. The paper, the typography, 
and the bindi^^g. — the whole style of publication — are such as to commend the good taste 
and judgment of the Publishers. — J. R. Boyd, Principal of It'kipleivood Young Ladies 
In.stitiite. Pittsfidd, Mass. 

T find the Revised Edition to be just what is needed for a Latin Grammar, - rU;ar. com- 
prehensive, vet concise, in the subject matter. I shall introduce it as a permanent text- 
book.— 5. F. Dake, Principal of Clyde High School, Wayne Co., N. Y. 

I have carefnlly examined your Revised Edition throughout, particularly the Correc- 
tions and Additions. It now appears to me all that can be desired. It seems like part- 
i-'g with a familiar friend to lay aside the old edition, with its manj' excellencies, and 
adopt the nfir. but 1 .shall cheerfully make the sacrifice for the greater ber.ent that will 
accrue to those commencing the study of Latin from time to time. — J. H. Graham., Prin- 
cipal of Nort.'i/itld Institution, Vermont. 

' T thought before that the old edition was entitled to the appellation of " The Latia 
Grammar," but 1 pei'ceive its value has been much increavsed by the numerous emenda- 
tions and additions of Prof. Andrews. The Grammar is now fitted to be a complete 
h;ind-bnok for the Latin scholar during his whole course. — E. W. Johnson, Canton Acad- 
eirri/, Cunlon, N. Y. 

I unhesitatinglj- pronounce the Revised Edition of Andrews and Stoddard's Latin 
Grimmar the best Grammar of the Latin Language, and shall certainly use my influence 
in its behalf-—//. E. J. Clute, Edinhoro\ Pa. 

After a thorough examination, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it the best Latin 
Gramm.ar for the purposes of the recitation room that I have ever examined. In its 
present form it ought certainly to displace a large majority of the Grammars in common 
use. Its rules of Syntax are expressed with accui-a,cy and precision, and are in fact, 
wliat all rules ought to be. reliable guides to the learner. — James W. Andrews, Principcd 
of Hj/ieu-ell Academy, Pmn. 

Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar, in the arrangement and adaptation to the 
learner. h;is excelled all others, and the revised edition Ls certainly a great improvement, 
and I do believe is better adapted to the wants of the .student than any other. The 
whole seems to be critically revised and corrected. Prof. Andrews was truly the stu- 
dent's benefactor. — M. L. Severance, North Troy, Vermont. 

It gives me great pleasure to bear my testimony to the superior merits of the Latin 
Grammar edited by Professor Andrews and Mr. Stoddard. I express most cheerfully, 
unhesitatir.gly, and decidedly, my preference of this Gramm^ar to that of Adam, which 
has, for so long a time, kept almost undisputed sway in our schools. — Dr. C. Btck, Cam- 
bridge. 

I know of no Grammar published in this country, which promises to answer so w>ll 
the pur>»ose.«i of elementarj- classical instruction, and shall be glad to see it introduced 
into our best schools. — CharUs K. DUlaway, Boston. 

Your new liatin Grammar appears to me much better suited to the use of students 
than any other grammar I am acquainted with. — Prof. Wm. M. Holland, Hartford, Ct. 

5 



NEW SEEIES OF LATIN SCHOOL BOOKS. 

T have adopted the Latin Grammar of Andrews aud Stoddard in the school under my 
charge, believing it better adapted, upon the whole, for elementarj- instruction than any 
similar work which I have examined. It combines the improvements of the recent Ger- 
man works on the subject with the be.<t features of that old favorite of the schools, Ur. 
Adam's Latin Grammar. — Htiinj Dris'er. Professor of Latin in Columbia College. 

A careful review of the I\evii*ed Edition of Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar, 
shows that this favorite text-book still continues to deserve the affections and confidence 
of Teachers and Pupil.*;, incorporating as it does the results of Prof. Andrews' own con- 
stant study for many years with the investigations of English aud German Philologists. 
No other Grammar is now so well fitted to meet the wants of the country as the rapid 
demand for it will show beyond doubt. — A. S. HartwtU, Universiti/ of Si. Louis. 

This Grammar of the Latin Language, now universally pronounced the venj lest, is 
greatly improved by the corrections, revisions and additions of this revised edition. We 
do not believe a text-book was ever written which introduced so great an im]>rovemeut 
in the metbod of teaching Latin, as this has done. We wish the revised edition the 
greatest success, which we are sure it merits. — EJiode Island School-master. 

I have examined your revised edition with considerable care, and do not hesitate to 
pronounce it a great improvement upon the old editions, and as near perfection as we 
are likely to have. I have no doubt it will come into general use. — A. Williams, Professor 
of Latin. .Teffe.rson College, Canonsbiirg, Pa. 

1 have been much interested in the Revised Edition. The improvement is very striking, 
aud I shall no longer think of givi)ig it up and putting Znmpt in its place. I am much 
pleased with the great improvement in the typograpliy. You have given to our .-••choois a 
book fifty per cent better in every respect, asid I trust you will have your reward in 
largely increased sales. — William J. Ko'fe, 3'Ia.^ter of Oliver High School, Lawrence, Ms. 

I can with much pleasure say that your Grammar seems to me much better adapted 
to the present condition and wants of our schools than any one with which 1 am ac- 
quainted, and to supply that which h;:s loi/g bteu wanted — a good Latiu Grammar for 
common use. — F. Gardner, Principal of Boston Latin School. 

The Latin Grammar of Andrews and Stoddard is deserving, in mj' opinion, of the ap- 
probation which so many of our ablest teachers have bestowed upon it. It is believed 
that, of all the grammars before the public, this has greatly the advantage, in regard 
both to t!ie excellence of its arrangement, and the accuracy and copiousness of its infor- 
nnition. — H. B. Hackelt, Prof, of Biblical Literature in Neicton Theological Seminary. 

The universal favor with which this Gi-ammar is received was not unexpected. It wil] 
bear a thorough and discriminating examination. In the use of well-defined and ex 
pre^sive terms, especially in the syntax, we know of no Latin or Gi'eek grammar which 
is to be compared to tliis. — American Qnnrtirtij Register. 

Th(;se works will furnish a series of elementary publications for the study of Latin 
altogether in advance of any thing which has hitiierto appeared, either in this country 
or in England. — American Biblical Repository. 

I cheerfully and decidedly bear testimony to tlie superior excellence of Andrews and 
Stoddard's Latin Grammar to any manual of the kind with which I am acquainted. 
Every part bears the impress of a careful conspiler. The principles of syntax are happily 
developed in the rules, wliilst those relating to the moods and tenses su])ply an important 
denciencj' in our former grammars. The rules of prosody are also clearly and fully ex- 
hibited. — Kec. Lyman Coleman, Manchester, Vt. 

This work bears evident marks of great care and skill, and ripe and accurate schclar- 
hhip in the authors. We cordially commend it to the student and teacher. — Biblical 
Bejiository. 

Andrews and Stoddard's T^atin Grammar is what I expected it would he— an excellent 
book. We cannot hesitate a moment in laying a.side the books now in use, and intro- 
ducing this. — Re.v. J. Penney, D. D., New York. 

Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar beiirs throughout evidence of original and 
thorough investigation and sound criticism. It is, in my appreiiension. so fir as sim- 
plicity is concerned, on the one hand, and philo.«ophical views and sound scholarship on 
the other, far preferable to other grammars; a work at the same time highly creditable to 
Its authors and to our country. — Professor A. Packard, Boiodvin College, Maine. 

I do not liesitate to pronounce Andrews and Stoddard's Latin Grammar superior to 
any other with which I am acquainted. 1 have never seen, any where, a greater amount 
of vahiabbe matter comprcs.sed within limits equally narrow. — Hon. John Hall^ Principal 
of Ellington School, Conn. 

Wb have no hesitation in pronouncing this Grammar decidedly superior to any now 
In use. — Boston Recorder. 



VALUABLE CLASSICAL WORKS. 
Robinson's Hebrew Lexicon. Sixth Edition, Revised 

and Stereotyped. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, in- 
clutliiig the'Biblical Chaldee. Translated from the Latin of William Gesenius, 
late Professor of Theology in the University of Halle-Wittembcrg By Edwa nn 
Robinson, 1). I)., LL. D., Professor of Biblical Literatui-e in the IJnion The- 
ological Seminary, New York. A new edition, with corrections and large ad- 
ditions, partly furnished by the author in manuscript, and partly condensed 
from his larger Thesaurus, as compiled by Roediger. These corrections and 
additions wei-e made by Dr. Gesenius, during an interval of several years, 
while carrying his Thesaurus through the press, and were transcribed and fur- 
nished by him expressly for this edition. They will be found to be very 
numerous, every page having been materially corrected and enlarged, and a 
large number of articles having been re-written. It is printed on a new type, 
the face ;ind cut of which is very beautiful, and has been highly commended 
and approved. 

Dr. Eobinson had already been trained to the business of lexicographical labor, when 
he began the translation of the present work. He is, in an uncommon degree, master 
of his own native tongue. He has diligence, patience, perseverance — yea, the iron dili- 
gence of Gesenius himself. i"or aught that I have yet been able to discover, all that can 
reasonably be expected or desired, has been done by the translator; not only as to ren- 
dering the work into English, but as to the manner and the accuracy of printing. The 
work will spoiik for itself, on the fii'st opening. It does honor, in its appearance, to edi- 
tor, printers, and publishers. I have only to add my hearty wish, that its beautiful 
white pages may be consulted and turned over, until they become thoroughly worn with 
the bauds of the purchasers. — Prof. Stuart, in the Biblical Repository, 

There is no lexicon in English that can be put on a level with Robinson's. I recommend 
the present as th'i best Lexicon of the Hebrew and Biblical Ohaldee which an English 
scholar can haA'e. — Rev. Dr. Samuel Davidson., of London. 

Gesenius' Lexicon is known wherever Hebrew is studied. On the merits of this work 
critici^ra has long ago pronounced its verdict of approval. — London Jewish Chronicle. 

This is a ver3^ beautiful and complete edition of the best Hebrew Lexicon ever yet 
produced. Gesenius, as a Hebrew philologist, is unequalled. — London Clerical Journal. 

This is decidedly the most complete edition of Gesenius' Manual Hebrew Lexicon. — 
London Journal of Sacred Literature. 

Robinsons parmong of % iospels, m ireeL 

A Harmony of the Four Gospels, in Greek, accord- 
ing to the text of Hahn. Newly arranged, with Explanatory Notes, by Edward 
IvoniNsoN, 1). D., LL. D., Professor of Biblical Literature in the Union The- 
ologic;il Seminary, New York. Revised Edition. 

This work of Dr. Robinson confines itself to the legitimate sphere of a Harmony of the 
Gospels ; and we do not hesitate to say that in this sphere it will be found to be all that 
a Harmony need or can be. The original text is printed with accuracy and elegance. 
It is a feast to the eyes to look upon a page of so much beauty. Its arrangement is dis- 
tinguished for simplicity and convenience. No one will ever be able to comprehend the 
relations of the Gospels to each other, or acquire an exact knowledge of their contents, 
unless he studies them with the aid of a Harmony. The present work furnishes in this 
respect just the facihty which is needed; and we trust that among its other effects, it 
will serve to direct attention more strongly to the importance of this mode of study. — 
Prof, llacketl, if Neivton Theological Seminary. 

Arithmetic, Oral and Written, practically applied by means 

of Suggestive Que^ions. By Thomas H. Palmer, Author of the Prize 
Essay on Education, entitled the " Teacher's ^lanual,'' " The Moral Instruc- 
tor," etc. 

7 



VALUABLE CLASSICAL WORKS. 

Ilabinscn s DctnnonD of i\t iosptls, m €^h\. 

A Harmony of the Four Gospels, in English, accord- 
ing to the coramoii version; newly tu-ranged, with Expl.'Uiatoiy Notes. By 
Edward Eobixsox, D. D., LL. D/ 

The object of tliis work is to obtain a full and consecutive account of all the 
facts of our Lord's life and ministry. In order to do this, tlie four gospel nar- 
ratives have been so brought together, as to present as nearly as possible the 
tiiie chronologicnl order, and wJiere the same transaction is described by more 
than one writer, the difl'erent accounts are placed side by side, so as to fill out 
and supply each other. Such an arrangement affords the only full and jierfect 
survey of all the testimony relating to any and eveiy portion of our Lord's his- 
tory. The evangelists are thus made their own best interpreters; and it is 
shown how wonderfully they sn-e supplementary to each other in minute as 
well as in im])0rtant particulars, and in this way is brought out fully and 
cleji.rly the fundamental ch;iruoteristics of their testimony, unity in diversity. 
To Bible classes, Sabbath schools, and all who love and seek the truth in their 
closets and in their families, this work will be found a useful assistant. 

I have used " Robinson's English Harmony '' in teaching a Bible Class. The result, in 
my ONVu mind, is fi convirtion of the great merits of this work, and its adaptation to im- 
part the liighest life ar.d interest to Bible Class exercises, and generally to the diligent 
study of the Gospel. It is much to be desired that everyone accustomed to searching 
the Scriptures should liave this invaluable aid. — Ke.v. Dr. Skinner^ New York. 

Sobinson's Bible Dictionary. A Dictionary for the 

use ol' Scho(jls and Young Persons. By Edwahd Robinson, D. D., LL. D. 

Illustrated with Engravings on wood, and Maps of Canaan, Judea, Asia Minor, 
and the Peninsula of ]\Iount Sinai, Idumea, etc. 

^Uments of 3istr0itjom2. 

The Elements of Astronomy ; or The World as it is 

and as it Appears. By the author of " Theory of Teaching," " Edward's First 
Lessons in Grammar,'' etc. Revised in manuscript by George P. Bond, Esq., 
of the Cambridge Observatory, to whom the author is also indebted for super- 
intending its passage through"^ the press. 

St0tt's lamilg §iI)lK 

Scott's Family Bible. Boston Stereotype Edition. 
6 vols, royal 8vo., containing all the Notes, Practical Observations, Marginal 
References, and Critical Remarks, as in the most approved London edition, 
with a line engraved likeness of the Author, Family Record, etc. 

This Edition is the only one that has, or can have, the benefit of the final 
Additions and Emendations of the Author. The extent of these may be 
judged from the f\ict that upwards of Four Hundred Pages of letter-press were 
addzd ; and as they consist chiefly of Critical Remarks, their importance to 
the Biblical student is at once apparent. The Preface to the entire work con- 
tains an elaborate and compendious view of the evidences that the Holy Scrip- 
tui-es were given by inspiration of God. Pi-efixed to each Book, both in the 
Old and New Testament, is an Introduction, or statement of its purport and 
intent. There are also copious Marginal References, with various Tables, a 
Chronological Index, and a copious Topical Index. 

J^' Orders solicited. 
8 



VIEGIL'8 



ECLOGUES AND GEORGICS, 



WITH NOTES 



HORACE ANDREWS, M. A. 




BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY CROCKER AND BREWSTER, 

47 Washington Street. 
1862. 



4b^ 

^^> 



Entered according to Act of Congres?, in the year 1862, 

BY CROCKER AND BREWSTER, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



2 2, 4 ^ 4^ 



PREFACE. 



Among a number of unfinished works of my honored father, 
the late Prof. E. A. Andrews, was a commentary on the poems 
of Virgil, which suggested, and to a considerable extent has 
formed the basis of this edition of the Eclogues and Georgics. 
His annotations, it is true, extended through a portion only of 
the Eclogues and Aeneid, and in their preparation he did not 
have the aid to be derived from some of the later editors of the 
poet ; but what he had completed was sufficient to show the 
plan which he had devised for an edition of Virgil, and, as was 
to be expected in the work of so ripe and accurate a scholar, 
little was found in his notes which required to be changed ; 
though frequently other explanations and illustrations have been 
added. 

The text of this edition is, with few exceptions, that of Wag- 
ner's revision of Heyne. In no instance however has a read- 
ing been adopted which is entirely without external authority ; 
for although the be&t editions have deviated from this course in 
some few passages, to which attention is called in the notes, the 
necessity for such change did not seem to me anywhere so great 
as clearly to require it in a work the text of which is confess- 
edly so free from suspicion. 



IV PREFACE. 

The orthography is generally that of the prevalent usage, as 
given in the recent Latin Lexicons, particularly those of Freund 
and Klotz ; and does not differ widely from that of Wagner's 
small edition, except that he uses the form is instead of es in 
the terminations of some accusatives plural ; the character i, 
instead of J, to denote the consonant ; and cum for quum. The 
spelling Vergilius is adopted, as having the best Ms. authority. 
An abridgment of Wagner's Orthographia Vergiliana, appended 
to the notes, will serve to give an idea of the orthography which 
Vii'gil himself employed. 

The punctuation is mainly that given by Wagner, in his 
smaller edition ; but with some of Conington's modifications. 

The number of commentaries on Virgil which are of ac- 
knowledged merit is not small, and some of them are quite 
voluminous ; so that the amount of labor required of an editor, 
to examine and weigh the various expositions contained in even 
a portion of them, in connection with his own study of the 
poet's meaning and commenting thereon, is more than will 
readily be appreciated, except by actual experiment. Added 
to this, in the present edition, many references have been made 
to the Grammar, when peculiarities of construction or other 
particulars seemed worthy of notice ; and to the Lexicon, to 
point out the place where an explanation could be found or 
learned, rather than to give it in the notes. It need not there- 
fore be matter of surprise that, with all its imperfections, the 
work has occupied whatever time could be spared from my pro- 
fessional pursuits during the past three years. 

The notes are derived, in large measure, from the labors 
of those who have preceded in the same field ; and in selecting 
from the notes of others it has been my intention, as being more 



PREFACE. V 

just to them, not only to indicate in each instance the source 
from which a note is taken, but ordinarily to quote the very 
words of the writer, if in English. Where the same note stands 
credited to more than one editor, it has been done either to 
show that the explanation given has their joint approval, or 
that the note is formed from then' several interpretations; 
usually the former. It wUl be observed that often two or more 
explanations are given of the same word or passage : if these 
are inconsistent with each other, my preference, when not other- 
wise expressly declared, is shown by placing that first in order 
which seems to me the best. 

My aim has been to make the notes such as to be useful to 
the student, in the spirit of the motto selected by my father for 
his own notes, from Heyne's preface : Imprimis illud aureum 
Plinii dictum memoria excidere non passus sum : ut nihil ad 
ostentationem, omnia ad conscientiam referrem ; hoc est, ut non 
mihi notas appingerem, sed legenti. It is hoped that the use 
of the notes, when accompanied with a constant resort to the 
Lexicon and occasional reference to Ancient Geography and 
the Classical Dictionary, will enable the student to arrive at 
the meaning, and in some degree to appreciate the merits of the 
poet. 

The principal editions which have been consulted by me are, 
Peter Burmann's edition of Nicholas Heinsius' Commentary, 
published at Amsterdam in 1746, with the notes of Servius and 
Philargyrius ; Heyne's edition; Wagner's Heyne, containing 
notes of Spolm and Wunderlich ; also Wagner's small edition 
of 1848 ; the Delphin edition ; Forbiger's, 1852 ; Ladewig's, 
1852 ; Voss' translation ; Martyn's Bucolics and Georgics, Lon- 
don, 1749 ; Keightley's Notes ; Valpy's edition ; Bryce's, and 



VI rHEFACE. 

John Coiiington's, London, 1858. Of these, Heyne, Wagner 
and Conington have been found the most valuable for explana- 
tory notes ; Martjn and Keightley for botanical and agricul- 
tural information, and Forbiger for attention to grammatical 
points. No modern editor seems to me, at once so thorough 
and judicious in his explanations as Conington. 

Daubeny's "Lectures on Roman Husbandry," Oxford, 1857, 
have been read with profit, in the study of the Georgics, and 
will be found quoted from in the notes. 

The edition of Lucretius referred to is that of Lachmann. 

The Latin Lexicon and Grammar, to which references are 
made, are Andrews' Lexicon and Andrews and Stoddard's 
Grammar, revised edition. 

In a body of notes comprising so great a number of details, 
errors will doubtless be found, not only in the citations and 
references, but where their existence may be both less excusa- 
ble and more injurious. The reader will confer a favor by 
communicating to the editor any errors which may come under 
his observation. 

HOEACE ANDREWS. 

New York, July, 1862. 



I 



EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS. 



A. — Aeneid. 

ahl. — ablative. 

abs. — absolute or absolutely. 

ace. — accusative. 

adj. — adjective. 

adv. — adve?rb. 

Br. — Bryce. 

Burm. — Burraannus. 

cf. — confer, (compare). 

comp. — comparative. 

Con. — Conington. 

dot. — dative. 

decl. — declension. 

-E".— Eclogue. 

e. g. — exempli gratia. 

etc. — et cetera. 

Forh. — Forb iger. 

fut. — future. 

G. — Georgic. 

gen. — genitive. 

H. — Heynius. 

i. e. — id est. 

i. q. — idem quod. 

ih. — ibidem. 

id. — idem. 

impers. — impersonal. 

indlc. — indicative. 

inf. — infinitive. 

iT.— Keigbtley. 

J. or Jahn. — Jahnius. 

Lade. — Ladewig. 



M. — Martyn. 

Ms., Mss. — manuscript, — s. 

nom. — nominative. 

part. adj. — participial adjective. 

per/. — perfect. 

Philarg. — Pkilargyrius. 

pi. or ^?Mr.— ^plural. 

prep. — preposition. 

pr^. — present. 

q. V. — quod videas. 

H. — Kuaeus. 

s. V. — sub voc-e. 

sc. or scil. — scilicet, (supply). 

Sei'v. — Servius. 

sing. — singular. 

Sp. — Spohnius. 

sq. sqq. — sequens, — tia, (and the fol- 
lowing). 

siibj. — subjunctive. 

sup. — superlative. 

S. cf Z. — Smith and Zumpt. 

V. — Valpy. 

voc. — vocative. 

V. vs. — verse, verses. 
Voss. — Vossius. 

Wch. or TrM«(f.— Wunderlichius. 
Wr. — Wagnerus. 

Gr. — Andrews and Stoddard's Latin 
Grammar, Revised edition. 

Lex. — Andrews' Freund's Latin Lex- 



c 



p. VERGILI MARONIS 

BUCOLICON 

LIBER. 



ECLOGA I. 

T I T Y R U S . 

MELIBOEUS. TITYRUS, 



Meliboeus. 
Tityre, tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fagi 
Silvestrem tenui Musam meditaris avena ; 
Nbs patriae fines et dulcia linquimus arva : 
Nos patriam fugimus ; tu, Tityre, lentus in umbra 
Formosam resonare doces Amaryllida silvas. 5 

TiTYRUS. 

O Meliboee, deus nobis haec otia fecit. 

Namque erit ille mihi semper deus ; illius aram 

Saepe tener nostris ab ovilibus imbuet agnus. 

Ille meas errare boves, ut cernis, et ipsum 

Ludere, quae vellem, calamo permisit agresti. 10 

Meliboeus. 
Non equidem invideo ; miror magis : undique totis 
Usque adeo turbatur agris. En, ipse capellas 



25 P. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA. 

Protinus aeger ago ; hanc etiam vix, Tityre, duco. 

Hie inter clensas corylos modo namqiie gemellos, 

Spem gregis, ali 1 sillce in iiuda connixa reliquit. 15 

Saepe malum lioc nobis, si mens non laeva fuisset, 

De caelo tactas memirii praedicere quercus. 

[Saepe sinistra cava praedixit ab ilice cornix.] 

Sed tamen, iste deus qni sit, da, Tityre, nobis. 

TlTYRUS. 

Urbem, quam diciint Romam, Meliboee, pntavi 20 

Stultns ego lintc nostrae -imilem, quo saepe soleimis 

Pastorcs ovium teneros depellere fetus. 

Sic canibus catulos similes, sic matribus liaedos 

Noram, sic parvis compbnere magna solebam. 

Verum haec tantum alias tnter caput extulit iurbes, 25 

Quantum lenta solent inter viburna cupressi. 

Meliboeus. 
Et quae tanta fiiit Rbmam tibi' causa videndi ? 

TlTYRUS. 

Libertas ; quae sera, tamen respexit inertem, 

Candidior postquam tondenti barba cadebat ; 

Respexit tamen, et longo post tempore venit, 30 

Postquam nos Amaiyllis habet, Galatea reliquit. 

Namque, fatebor enim, dum me Galatea tenebat, 

Nee spes llbortatis erat, nee cura peeuli. 

Quamvis multa meis exiret victima septis, 

Ping-uis et ingratac prcmeretur caseus urbi, 35 

Non umquam gravis aere domum mibi dextra redibat. 

Meliboeus. 
Mirabar, quid maesta deos, Amarylli, vocares, 
Cui pendere sua patereiis in aibore poma : 
Tityrus hinc aberat. Ipsac te, Tityre, pinus, 



ECLOGA I. 6 

Ipsi te foiites, ipsa liaec arbusta vocabant. 40 

TlTYRUS. 

Qutd facerem ? neqne servitio me exire llcebat, 

Nee tarn ])raesentes alibi cognoscere clivos. 

Hie ilium vidl juvenem, Meliboee, quot annis 

Bis seiios cui nostra dies altaria fiimant. 

Hie mihi responsum primus dedit ille petenti : 45 

" Pascite, ut ante, boves, pueri ; submittite tauros." 

Meliboeus. 

Fortunate senex, ergo tua rura manebunt ! 

Et tibl magna satis ; quamvis lapis omnia nudus 

Liinosoque palus obducat pascua junco. 

ISTon ihsueta graves tentabunt pabula fetas, 50 

Nee mala vieini pecoris contagia laedent. 

Fortunate senex, liic, inter flumina nota 

Et fontes sacros, frigus captabis opaeum ! 

Hinc tibi, quae semper, vieino ab limite, sepes 

Hyblaeis apibus fiorem depasta salicti, 55 

Saepe levi sominim suadebit inire susurro ; 

Hinc alta sub rupc canet frondator ad auras ; 

Nee tamen interea I'aucae, tua cura, palumbes, 

Nee gemere aeria cessabit turtur ab ulmo. 

TiTYRUS. 

Ante leves ergo pascentur in aether e cervi, 60 

Et freta destituent nudos in litore pisces, 

Ante, pererratis amborum finibus, exsul 

Aut Ararim Par thus bibet, aut Germania Tigrim, 

Quam nostro illius labatur pectore vultus. 

Meliboeus. 
At nos hinc alii sitientes ibimus Afros, 65 

Pars Scytliiam et rapidum Cretae veniemus Oaxen, 



4 P. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA. 

Et penltus toto divlsos orbe Britannos. 

En urnqnam patrlos longo post tempore fines, 

Pauperis et tuguri congestnm caespite cnlmen, 

Post aliquot, mea regna viclens, mirabor aristas ? 70 

Impius liaec tarn culta novalia miles habebit ? 

Barbarus lias segetes ? en, quo discordia cives 

Produxit miseros ! en, quis consevimus agros ! 

Insere nunc, Meliboee, piros, pone ordine vites. 

Ite meae, felix qiiondam pecusj ite capellae. , 75 

Non ego vos postliac, viridi projectus in antro, 

Dumosa pendere procul de rupe videbo ; 

Carmina nulla canam ; non, me })ascente, capellae, 

Florentem cytisum et salices carpetis amaras. 

TiTYRUS. 

Hie tamen banc mecum poteras requiescere noctem 80 
Fronde super viridi : sunt nobis mitia poma, 
Castaneae molles et pressi copia lactis ; 
Et jam summa procul villarum culmina fumant 
Majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrae. 



ECLOGA n. 

ALEXIS 



Formosum pastor Cory don ardebat Alexim, 
Delicias domini, nee, quid speraret, babebat. 
Tantum inter densas, umbrosa cacumina, fagos 
Assidue veniebat. Ibi baec incondita solus 
Montibus et silvis studio jactabat inani : 

" O crudelis Alexi, nihil mea carmina curas ? 
Nil nostri miserere ? mori me denique coges. 



ECLOGA II. 5 

Nunc etiam pecucles umbras et frigora captant ; 
Nunc virides etiam occultant splneta lacertos, 
Thestylis et rapido fessis messoribus aestu 10 

Allia serpillumque herbas contundit olentes. 
At mecum raucis, tua dum vestigia lustro, 
Sole sub ardenti resonant arbusta cicadis. 
Nonne fait satiiis, tristes Amaryllidis iras 
Atque superba pati fastidia ? nonne Menalcan ? 15 

Quamvis ille niger, quamvis tu candidus esses. 
O formose puer, nimimn ne crede colori ! 
Alba ligustra cadunt, vaccinia nigra leguntur. 
Despectus tibi sum, nee, qui sim, quaeris, Alexi, 
Quam dives pecoris, nivei quam lactis abundans. 20 

Mille meae Siculis errant in montibus agnae ; 
Lac milii non aestate novum, non frigore defit. 
Canto, quae solitus, si quando armenta vocabat, 
Amphion Dircaeus in Actaeo Aracyntlio. 
Nee sum adeo informis : nuper me in litore vidi, 25 

Quum placidum ventis staret mare ; non ego Daphnim 
Judice te metuam, si numquam fallit imago. 
O tantum libeat mecum tibi sordida rura 
Atque liumiles liabitare casas et figere cervos 
Haedorumque gregem viridi compellere liibisco ! 30 

Mecum una in silvis imitabere Pana canendo. 
Pan primus calamos cera conjungere plures 
Instituit ; Pan curat oves oviumque magistros. 
Nee te poeniteat calamo trivisse labellum : 
Haec eadem ut sciret, quid non faciebat Amyntas ? 35 
Est milii disparibus septem compacta cicutis 
Fistula, Damoetas dono milii quam dedit olim, 
Et dixit moriens : " Te nunc habet ista secundum." 
Dixit Damoetas ; invidit stultus Amyntas. 
Praeterea duo, nee tuta mihi valle reperti, 40 

1* 



6 p. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA. 

Capreoli, spar sis etiam nunc pellibus albo ; 

Bina die siccant ovis ubera ; quos tibi servo. 

Jam pridem a me illos abducere Thestylis orat ; 

Et faciei, quoniam sordent tibi munera nostra. 

Hue ades, o formose puer : tibi lilia plenis 45 

Ecce ferunt Nymphae calatliis ; tibi Candida Nais, 

Pallentes violas et smnma papavera carpens, 

Narcissum et florem jungit bene olentis anethi ; 

Turn, casia atque aliis intexens suavibus herbis, 

MoEia luteola pingit vaccinia caltha. 50 

Ipse ego cana legam tenera lanugine mala, 

Castaneasque nuces, mea quas Amaryllis amabat ; 

Addam cerea pruna : honos erit buic quoque pomo ; 

Et vos, o lauri, carpam, et te, proxima myrte. 

Sic positae quoniam suaves miscetis odores. 55 

Rusticus es, Corydon : nee munera curat Alexis, 

Nee, si muneribus certes, concedat lollas. 

Heu, heu, quid volui misero milii ! floribus Austrum 

Perditus et liquidis immisi fontibus apros. 

Quem fugis, ah, demens ? liabitarunt di quoque silvas 60 

Dardaniusque Paris. Pallas, quas condidit arces. 

Ipsa colat ; nobis placeant ante omnia silvae. 

Torva leaena lupum sequitur ; lupus ipse capellam ; 

Florentem cytisum sequitur lasciva capella ; 

Te Corydon, o Alexi : traliit sua quemque voluptas. 65 

Aspice, aratra jugo referunt suspensa juvenci, 

Et sol crescentes decedens duplicat umbras : 

Me tamen urit amor ; quis enim modus adsit amori ? 

Ah, Corydon, Corydon, quae te dementia cepit ! 

Semiputata tibi frondosa vitis in ulmo est. 70 

Quin tu aliquid saltem potius, quorum indiget usus, 

Viminibus mollique paras detexere junco ? 

Invenies alium, si te hie fastidit, Alexim.'' 



ECLOGA III. 

ECLOGA in. 

PALAEMON. 

MENALCAS. DAMOETAS. PALAEMON. 



Menalcas. 
Die mihi, Damoeta, cujum pecus ? an Meliboei ? 

Damoetas. 
Non, verum Aegonis ; nuper mihi tradidit Aegon. 

Mei^alcas. 
Infelix o semper, oves, pecus ! ipse Neaeram 
Dum fovet, ac, ne me sibi praeferat ilia, veretur, 
Hie alienus oves eustos bis mulget in hora ; 5 

Et suens peeori et lae subdueitur agnis. 

Damoetas. 
Parcius ista viris tamen objicienda memento. 
Novimus, et qui te, transversa tuentibus hireis, 
Et quo — sed faciles Nympliae riser e — saeello. 

Menalcas. 
Turn, credo, quum me arbustum videre Mieonis 10 

Atque mala vites incidere falce novellas. 

Damoetas. 
Aut hie ad veteres fagos quum Dapbnidis areum 
Fregisti et calamos : quae tu, perverse Menalca, 
Et, quum vidisti puero donata, dolebas, 
Et, si non aliqua nocuisses, mortuus esses. 15 

Menalcas. 
Quid domini faeiant, audent quum talia fures ! 



8 p. YEllGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA, 

Non ego te vidi Damonis, pessime, caprum 

Excipere insidiis, multum latantre Lycisca ? 

Et quum clamarem : " Quo nunc se proripit ille ? 

Tityre, coge pecus " ; tu post carecta latebas. 20 

Damoetas. 
An mihi cantando victus non redderet ille, 
Quern mea carminibus meruisset fistula caprum ? 
Si nescis, mens ille caper fuit ; et milii Damon 
Ipse fatebatur ; sed reddere posse negabat. 

Menalcas. 
Cantando tu ilium ? aut umquam tibi fistula cera 25 

Juncta fuit ? non tu in triviis. indocte, solebas 
Stridenti miserum stipula disperdere carmen ? 

Damoetas. 
Vis ergo, inter nos, quid possit uterque, vicissim 
Experiamur ? ego banc vitulam — ne forte recuses, 
Bis venit ad mulctram, binos alit ubere fetus — 30 

Depono : tu die, mecum quo pignore certes. 

Menalcas. 
De grege non ausim quicquam deponere tecum : 
Est mihi namque domi pater, est injusta noverca ; 
Bisque die numerant ambo pecus, alter et liaedos. 
Verum, id quod multo tute ipse fatebere majus, 35 

Insanire libet quoniam tibi, pocula ponam 
Fagina, caelatum divini opus Alcimedontis : 
Lenta quibus torno facili superaddita vitis 
Diffusos hedera vestit pallente corymbos. 
In medio duo signa, Conon, et — quis fuit alter, 40 

Descripsit radio totum qui gentibus orbem, 
Tempora quae messor, quae curvus arator haberet ? 
Necdum illis labra admovi, sed condita servo. 



ECLOGA III. if 

Damoetas. 
Et nobis idem Alcimedon duo pocula fecit, 
Et molli circum est ansas amplexus acantho, 45 

Orpheaque in medio posuit silvasque seqnentes. 
Necdum illis labra admovi, sed condita servo. 
Si ad vitulam spectas, nihil est, quod pocula laudes. 

Menalcas. 
Numquam hodie effiigies ; veniam, quocumque vocaris. 
Audiat haec tantum — vel qui venit, ecce, Palaemon. 50 
Efficiam postliac ne quemquam voce lacessas. 

Damoetas. 
Quin age, si quid habes, in me mora non erit uUa, 
Nee quemquam fugio : tantum, vicine Palaemon, 
Sensibus haec imis, res est non parva, reponas. 

Palaemon. 
Dicite, quandoquidem in molli consedimus herba. 55 

Et nunc omnis ager, nunc omnis parturit arbos ; 
Nunc frondent silvae ; nunc formosissimus annus. 
Incipe, Damoeta ; tu deinde sequere, Menalca. 
Alternis dicetis ; amant alterna Camenae. 

Damoetas. 
Ab Jove principium, Musae ; Jovis omnia plena ; 60 

Ille colit terras ; illi mea carmina curae. 

Menalcas. 
Et me Phoebus amat ; Phoebo sua semper apud me 
Munera sunt, lauri et suave rubens hyacinthus. 

Damoetas. 
Malo me Galatea petit, lasciva puella, 
Et fugit ad salices, et se cupit ante videri. 65 



10 p. vep.gili maronis bucolica. 

Menalcas. 
At mihi sese ofFert ultro, mens Ignis, Amjmtas, 
Notior ut jam sit canibus non Delia nostris. 

Damoetas. 
Parta meae Veneri sunt munera : namque notavi 
Ipse locum, aeriae quo congessere palumbes. 

Menalcas. 
Quod potui, puero silvestri ex arbore lecta 70 

Aurea mala decem misi ; eras altera mittam. 

Damoetas. 
O quoties et quae nobis Galatea locuta est ! 
Partem aliquam, venti, divum refer atis ad aures ! 

Menalcas. 
Quid prodest, quod me ipse animo non spernis, Amynta, 
Si, dum tu sectaris apros, ego retia servo ? 75 

Damoetas. 
Pliyllida mitte milii : meus est natalis, lolla ; 
Quum faciam vitula pro frugibus, ipse venito. 

Menalcas. 
Pliyllida amo ante alias ; nam me discedere flevit, 
Et longum " Formose, vale, vale," inquit, loUa. 

Damoetas. 
Triste lupus stabulis, maturis frugibus imbres, 80 

Arboribus venti, nobis Amaryllidis irae. 

Menalcas. 
Dulce satis liumor, depulsis arbutus liaedis, 
Lenta salix feto pecori, mihi solus Amyntas. 



ECLOGA m. 11 

Damoetas. 
PoUio amat nostram, quamvis est rustica, Musam : 
Pierides, vitulam lectori pascite vestro. 85 

Menalcas. 
Pollio et ipse facit nova carmina : pascite taurum, 
Jam cornu petat et pedibus qui spargat arenam. 

Damoetas. 
Qui te, Pollio, amat, veniat, quo te quoque gaudet ; 
Mella fluant illi, ferat et rubus asper amomum. 

Menalcas. 
Qui Bavium non odit, amet tua carmina, Maevi, 90 

Atque idem jungat vulpes et mulgeat hircos. 

Damoetas. 
Qui legitis flores et humi nascentia fraga, 
Frigidus, o pueri, fugite liinc, latet anguis in herba. 

Menalcas. 
Parcite, oves, nimium procedere : non bene ripae 
Creditur ; ipse aries etiam nunc vellera siccat. 95 

Damoetas. 
Tityre, pascentes a flumine reice capellas : 
Ipse, ubi tempus erit, omnes in fonte lavabo. 

Menalcas. 
Cogite oves, pueri ; si lac praeceperit aestus, 
Ut nuper, frustra pressabimus ubera palmis. 

Damoetas. 
Heu, beu, quam pingui macer est mihi taurus in ervo ! 100 
Idem amor exitium pecori pecorisque magistro. 



12 p. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA. 

MejSTALCAS. 

His certe neque amor causa est ; vix ossibus liaerent. 
Nescio quis teneros oeulus milii fascinat agnos, 

Damoetas. 
Die, quibus in terris — et eris mihi magnus Apollo — 
Tres pateat caeli spatium non amplius ulnas. 105 

Menalcas. 
Die, quibus in terris inseripti nomina regum 
Naseantur flores ; et Pliyllida solus habeto. 

Palaemon. 
Non nostrum inter vos tantas eomponere lites. 
Et vitula tu dignus, et hie : et quisquis amores 
Aut metuet dulces, aut experietur amaros. 110 

Claudite jam rivos, pueri : sat prata biberunt. 



ECLOGA IV. 

P L L I . 



Sicelides Musae, paulo majora canamus ! 
Non omnes arbusta juvant liumilesque myricae ; 
Si eanimus silvas, silvae sint Consule dignae. 
Ultima Cumaei venit jam earminis aetas ; 
Magnus ab integro saeelorum nascitur ordo. 
Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna ; 
Jam nova progenies caelo demittitur alto. 
Tu modo naseenti puero, quo ferrea primum 
Desinet ac toto surget gens aurea mundo, 



ECLOGA IV. 13 

Casta, fave, Lucina : tuus jam regnat Apollo. 10 

Teque adeo decus hoc aevi, te Consule, inibit, 

Pollio, et incipient magni procedere menses ; 

Te duce, si qua manent sceleris vestigia nostri, 

Irrita perpetua solvent formidine terras. 

lile deum vitam accipiet divisque videbit 15 

Permixtos lieroas et ipse videbitur illis, 

Pacatumque reget patriis virtutibus orbem. 

At tibi prima, puer, nullo munuscula cultu 

Errantes liederas passim cnm baccare tellus 

Mixtaque j'identi colocasia fundet acantho. 20 

Ipsae lacte domum referent distenta capellae 

Ubera, nee magnos metuent armenta leones. 

Ipsa tibi blandos fun dent cunabula flores. 

Occidet et serpens, et fall ax lierba veneni 

Occidet ; Assyrium vulgo nascetur amomum. 25 

At simul lieroum laudes et facta parentis 

Jam legere et quae sit poteris cognoscere virtus : 

Molli paulatim flavescet campus ansta, 

Incultisque rubens pendebit sentibus uva, 

Et durae quercus sudabunt roscida mella. ' 30 

Pauca tamen suberunt priscae vestigia fraudis, 

Quae tentare Thetim ratibus, quae cingere muris 

Oppida, quae jubeant telluri infindere sulcos. 

Alter erit tum Tipliys, et altera quae vehat Argo 

Delectos heroas ; erunt etiam altera bella, 35 

Atque iterum ad Trojam magnus mittetur Achilles. 

Hinc, ubi jam firmata virum te fecerit aetas, 

Ccdet et ipse m^ari vector, nee nautica pinus 

T\Iutabit merces : omnis ferct omnia tellus. 

Non rastros patietur humus, non vinea falcem ; 

Robustus quoque jam tauris juga solvet arator ; 

Nee varios discet mentiri lana colores, 



14 p. VERGILI MAR0NI3 BUCOLICA. 

Ipse sed in pratis aries jam suave rubenti 

Murice, jam croceo mntabit vellera Into ; 

Sponte sua sandyx pascentes vestiet agnos. 45 

" Talia saecla," suis dixerunt, " currite," fusis 

Concordes stabiii fatorum numine Parcae. 

Aggredere o magnos — aderit jam tempus — bonores, 

Cara deum suboles, magnmn Jovis incrementum ! 

Aspice convexo nutantem pondere mundum, 60 

Terrasque tractusque maris caelumque profundum, 

Aspice, venturo laetantur ut omnia saeclo ! 

O mibi tam longae maneat pars ultima vitae, . 

Spiritus et, quantum sat erit tua dicere facta : 

Non me carminibus vincet nee Tbracius Orpheus, 55 

Nee Linus, buic mater quamvis atque huic pater adsit, 

Orpbei Calliopea, Lino formosus Apollo. 

Pan etiam, Arcadia mecum si judice certet, 

Pan etiam Arcadia ddcat se judice victum. 

Incipe, parve puer, risu cognoscere matrem : 60 

Matri longa decem tulerunt fastidia menses. 

Incipe, parve puer : cui non risere parentes. 

Nee deus bunc mensa, dea nee dignata cubili est. 



ECLOGA Y. 

D A P H N I S . 

]\I E N A L C A S . M P S U S . 



Menalcas. 
Cur non, Mopse, boni quoni^m convenimus ambo, 
Tu calamos inflare leves, ego dicere versus, 
Hie corylis mixtas inter considimus ulmos ? 



ECLOGA V. 15 

Mopsus. 
Tu major ; tibi me est aequum parere, Menalca, 
Sive sub incertas Zephyr is motantibus umbras, 5 

Sive antro potius succedimus. Aspice, ut antrum 
Silvestris raris sparsit labrusca racemis. 

Menalcas. 
Montibus in nostris solus tibi certat Amyntas. 

Mopsus. 
Quid, si idem certet Phoebum superare canendo ? 

Menalcas. 
Incipe, Mopse, prior, si quos aut Phyllidis ignes, 10 

Aut Alconis babes laudes, aut jurgia Codri. 
Incipe ; pascentes servabit Tityrus baedos. 

Mopsus. 
Immo haec, in viridi nuper quae cortice fagi 
Carmina descripsi et modulans alterna notavi, 
Experiar : tu deinde jubeto ut certet Amyntas. 15 

Menalcas. 
Lenta salix quantum pallenti cedit olivae, 
Puniceis bumilis quantum saliunca rosetis, 
Judicio nostro tan turn tibi cedit Amyntas. 

Mopsus. 
Sed tu desine phira, puer ; successimus antro. 

Exstinctum Nympbae crudeli funere Dapbnim 20 

Flebant ; vos coryli testes et flumina Nympbis ; 
Quum complexa sui corpus miserabile nati, 
Atque deos atque astra vocat crudelia mater. 
Non ulH pastos illis egere diebus 
Frigida, Dapbni, boves ad flumina ; nulla nee amnem 25 



16 p. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA. 

Libavit quadrupes, nee graminis attlgit lierbam. 

Daphni, tuum Poenos etiam ingemuisse leones 

Interitum montesque feri silvaeque loquuntur. 

Daplmis et Armenias curru subjungere tigres 

Instituit, Daphnis thiasos inducere Bacclii 30 

Et foliis lentas intexere mollibus hastas. 

Vitis ut arboribus decori est, ut vitibus uvae, 

Ut gregibus tauri, segetes ut pinguibus arvis : 

Tu decus omne tuis. Postquam te fata tulerunt, 

Ipsa Pales agros atque ipse reliquit Apollo. 35 

Grandia saepe quibus mandavimus bordea sulcis, 

Infelix lolium et steriles nascuntur avenae ; 

Pro moUi viola, pro purpureo narcisso, 

Carduiis et spinis surgit paliums acutis. 

Spargite humum foliis, inducite fontibus umbras, 40 

Pastores ; mandat fieri sibi talia Daplmis ; 

Et tumulum facite, et tumulo superaddite carmen : 

'' Daphnis ego in silvis, bine usque ad sidera notus, 

Formosi pecoris custos, formosior ipse." 

Menalcas. 
Tale tuum carmen nobis, divine poeta, 45 

Quale sopor fessis in gramine, quale per aestum 
Dulcis aquae saliente sitim restinguere rivo. 
Nee ealamis solum aequiparas, sed voce magistrum. 
Fortunate puer, tu nunc eris alter ab illo. 
Nos tamen baee quocumque modo tibi nostra vicissim 50 
Dicemus, Dapbnimque tuum tollemus ad astra ; 
Dapbnin ad astra feremus : amavit nos quoque Daplmis. 

Mopsus. 
An quicquam nobis tali sit munere majus ? 
Et puer ipse fuit cantari dignus, et ista 
Jam pridem Stimicon laudavit carmina nobis. 55 



ECLOGA V. 17 

Menalcas. 

Candidus insuetum miratiir limen Oljmpi 
Sub pedibusque videt nubes et sidera Daphnis. 
Ergo alacris silvas et cetera rura voluptas 
Panaque pastoresque tenet Dryadasque puellas. 
Nee lupus insidias pecori, nee retia cervis 60 

Ulla dolum meditantur ; amat bonus otia Daphnis. 
Ipsi laetitia voces ad sidera jactant 
Intonsi montes ; ipsae jam carmina rupes, 
Ipsa sonant arbusta : " deus, deus ille, Menalca " ! 
Sis bonus o felixque tuis ! en quattuor aras : 65 

Ecce duas tibi, Daplmi, duas altaria Phoebo. 
Pocula bina novo spumantia lacte quot annis 
Crater asque duos statuam tibi pinguis olivi, 
Et multo in primis hilarans convivia Baccho, 
Ante focum, si frigus erit, si messis, in umbra, 70 

Vina novum fundam calatbis Ariusia nectar. 
Cantabunt mihi Damoetas et Lyctius Aegon ; 
Saltantes Satyros imitabitur Alphesiboeus. 
Haec tibi semper erunt, et quum sollemnia vota 
Reddemus Nymphis, et quum lustrabimus agros. 75 

Dum juga montis aper, fluvios dum piscis amabit, 
Dumque tliymo pascentur apes, dum rore cicadae, 
Semper honos nomenque tuum laudesque manebunt. 
Ut Baccho Cererique, tibi sic vota quot annis 
Agi'icolae facient ; damnabis tu quoque votis. 80 

Mopsus. 

Quae tibi, quae tali reddam pro carmine dona ? 
Nam neque me tantum venientis sibilus Austri, 
Nee percussa juvant fluctu tam litora, nee quae 
Saxosas inter decurrunt flumina valles. 



18 p. vergili maronis bucolica. 

Menalcas. 
Hac te nos fragili donabimus ante cicuta. 85 

Haec nos, " Formosum Corydon ardebat Alexim," 
Haec eadem docuit, " Cujum pecus ? an Meliboei ? " 

Mopsus. 
At tu sunie pedum, quod, me quum saepe rogaret, 
Non tulit Antigenes — et erat tum dignus amari — 
Formosum paribus nodis atque aere, Menalca. 90 



ECLOGA VI. 

Y A E U S . 



Prima Syracosio dignata est ludere versu 
Nostra neque erubuit silvas habitare Thalia. 
Quum canerem reges et proelia, Cynthius aurem 
Vellit, et admonuit : " Pastorem, Tityre, pingues 
Pascere oportet oves, deductum dicere carmen." 5 

Nunc ego — ^namque super tibi enint, qui dicere laudes, 
Vare, tuas cupiant et tristia condere bella — 
AoTestem tenui meditabor arundine Musam. 
Non injussa cano. Si quis tamen haec quoque, si quis 
Captus amore leget, te nostrae, Vare, myricae, 10 

Te nemus omne canet ; nee Phoebo gratior ulla est, 
Quam sibi quae Vari praescripsit pagina nomen. 
Pergite, Pierides. Chromis et Mnasylos in antro 
Silenum pueri sorano videre jacentem, 
Inflatum hesterno venas, ut semper, laccho ; 15 

Serta procul, tantum capiti delapsa, jacebant, 
Et gravis attrita pendebat cantharus ansa. 



ECLOGA VI. 19 

Aggressi — ^nam saepe senex spe carminis ambo 

Luserat — injiciunt ipsis ex vincula sertis. 

Addit se sociam timidisque supervenit Aegle, 20 

Aegle, Naladum pulcherrima, jamque videnti 

Sanguineis frontem moris et tempora pingit. 

Ille dolum ridens, " Quo vincula nectitis" ? inquit. 

" Solvite me, pueri ; satis est potuisse videri. 

Carmina, quae vultis, cognoscite ; carmina vobis, 25 

Huic aliud mercedis erit." Simul incipit ipse. 

Turn vero in numerum Faunosque ferasque videres 

Ludere, turn rigidas motare cacumina quercus ; 

Nee tantum Phoebo gaudet Parnasia rupes, 

Nee tantum Rliodope mirantur et Ismarus Orphea. 30 

Namque canebat, uti magnum per inane coacta 

Semina terrarumque animaeque marisque fuissent 

Et liquidi simul ignis ; ut his exordia primis 

Omnia et ipse tener mundi concreverit orbis ; 

Tum durare solum et discludere Nerea ponto 35 

Coeperit et rerum paulatim sumere formas ; 

Jamque novum terrae stupeant lucescere solem, 

Altius atque cadant submotis nubibus imbres ; 

Incipiant silvae quum primum surgere, quumque 

Kara per ignaros errent animalia montes. 40 

Hinc lapides Pyrrliae jactos, Saturnia regna, 

Caucasiasque refert volucres furtmnque Promethei. 

His adjungit, Hylan nautae quo fonte relictum 

Clamassent, ut litus, " Hjla, Hyla," omne sonaret ; 

Et fortunatam, si numquam armenta fuissent, 45 

Pasipliaen nivei solatur amore juvenci. 

Ail, virgo infelix, quae te dementia cepit ! 

Proetides implerunt falsis mugitibus agros : 

At non tam turpes pecudum tamen ulla secuta est 

Concubitus, quamvis collo timuisset aratrum 50 



2a 



p. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA. 



Et saepe in levi quaesisset cornua fronte. 

All, virgo infelix, tu nunc in montibus erras : * 

Ille, latus niveum molli fultus hyacintho, 

Ilice sub nigra pallentes ruminat lierbas, 

Aut aliquam in magno sequitur grege. " Claudite, 

Nymphae, 55 

Dictaeae Nymphae, nemorum jam claudite saltus, 
Si qua forte ferant oculis sese obvia nostris 
Errabunda bovis vestigia ; forsitan ilium, 
Aut lierba captum viridi, aut armenta secutum, 
Perducant aliquae stabula ad Gortynia vaccae." 60 

Tum canit Hesperidum miratam mala puellam ; 
Turn Phaethontiadas musco circumdat amarae 
Corticis, atque solo proceras erigit alnos. 
Tum canit, errantem Permessi ad flumina Galium 
Aonas in montes ut duxerit una sororum, 65 

Utque viro Phoebi chorus assurrexerit omriis ; 
Ut Linus liaec illi, divino carmine pastor, 
Floribus atque apio crines ornatus amaro, 
Dixerit : " Hos tibi dant calamos, en accipe, Musae, 
Ascraeo quos ante seni ; quibus ille solebat 70 

Cantando rigidas deducere montibus ornos. 
His tibi Grynei nemoris dicatur origo, 
Ne quis sit lucus, quo se plus jactet Apollo.'* 
Quid loquar, aut Scyllam Nisi, quam fama secuta est 
Candida succinctam latrantibus inguina monstris 75 

Dulicbias vexasse rates et o-urmte in alto 
Ab ! timidos nautas canibus lacerasse marinis, 
Aut ut mutatos Terei narraverit artus, 
Quas illi Philomela dapes, quae dona pararit, 
Quo cursu deserta petiverit, et quibus ante 80 

Infelix sua tecta supervolitaverit alis ? 
Omnia, quae, Phoebo quondam meditante, beatus 



' 



ECLOGA VII. 21 

Audiit Eurotas jussitque ediscere laurus, 

Ille canit ; pulsae referunt ad sidera valles ; 

Cogere donee oves stabulis numerumque referri 85 

Jussit et invito processit Vesper Oljmpo. 



ECLOGA VIL 

MELIBOEUS. 

MELIBOEUS. CORY DON. THYRSIS. 



Meliboeus. 

Forte sub arguta consederat ilice Daplmis, 

Compulerantque greges Cory don et Thy r sis in unum, 

Thyrsis oves, Corydon distentas lacte capellas, 

Ambo florentes aetatibus, Arcades ambo, 

Et cantare pares, et respondere parati. 5 

Hue mibi, dum teneras defendo a frigore myrtos, 

Vir gregis ipse caper deerraverat ; atque ego Daphnim 

Aspicio. Ille nbi me contra videt : " Ocius," inquit, 

" Hue ades, o Meliboee 1 caper tibi salvus et haedi ; 

Et, si quid eessare potes, requiesce sub umbra. 10 

Hue ipsi potum venient per prata juvenei ; 

Hie virides tenera praetexit arundlne ripas 

Mineius, eque sacra resonant examina quercu." 

Quid faeerem ? neque ego Alcippen, neque Phyllida 

babebam, 
Depulsos a lacte domi quae clauderet agnos ; 15 

Et certamen erat, Corydon cum Thyrside, magnum. 
Postbabui tamen illorum mea seria ludo. 



22 p. VEP.GILI MARONIS BUCOLIC A. 

Alternis igltur contendere versibus ambo 

Coepere ; alternos Musae meminisse volebant. 

Hos Coiydon, illos referebat in ordine Thyrsis. 20 

CORYDON. 

Nympbae, noster amor, Libetbrides, aut mibi carmen, 
Quale meo Codro, concedite ; proxima Pboebi 
Versibus ille facit ; aut, si non possumus omnes, 
Hie arguta sacra pendebit fistula pinn. 

Thyrsis. 

Pastores, liedera nascentem ornate ]3oetam, 25 

Arcades, invidia rumpantur ut ilia Codro ; 
Aut, si nltra placitum laudarit, baccare frontem 
Cingite, ne vati noceat mala lingua futuro. 

CORYDON. 

Setosi caput boc apri tibi, Delia, parvus 

Et ramosa Micon vivacis cornna cervi. 30 

Si proprinm boc fuerit, levi de marmore tota 

Puniceo stabis suras evincta cotliurno. 

Thyrsis. 

Sinum lactis et haec te liba, Priape, quot annis 
Exspectare sat est ; custos es pauperis horti. 
Nunc te marmoreum pro tempore fecimus ; at tu, 35 

Si fetura gregem siippleverit, aureus esto. 

CORYDON. 

Nerine Galatea, tbymo mibi dulcior Hyblae, 

Candidior cycnis, bedera formosior alba, 

Quum primum pasti repetent praesepia tauri, 

Si qua tui Corydonis babet te cura, venito. 40 



ECLOGA vn. 23 

Thyhsis. 
Immo ego Sardoniis videar tibi amarior herbis, 
Horridior rusco, projecta vilior alga, 
Si milii non liaec lux toto jam longior anno est. 
Ite donrnm pasti, si quis pudor, ite juvenci. 

CORYDON. 

Muscosi fontes et somno moUior herba, 45 

Et quae vos rara viridls tegit arbutus umbra, 
Solstitium pecori defendite ; jam venit aestas 
Torrida, jam laeto turgent in palmite gemmae. 

Thyrsis. 
Hie focus et taedae pingues, liic plurimus ignis 
Semper, et assidua postes faligine nigri ; 50 

Hie tantum Boreae curamus frigora, quantum 
Aut numerum lupus, aut torrentia flumina ripas. 

CORYDON. 

Stant et juniperi et castaneae hirsutae ; 
Strata jacent passim sua quaeque sub arbore poma ; 
Omnia nunc rident : at, si formosus Alexis 55 

Montibus liis abeat, videas et flumina sicca. 

Thyrsts. 
Aret ager ; vitio moriens sitit aeris lierba ; 
Liber pampineas invidit collibus umbras : 
Phyllidis adventu nostrae nemus omne virebit, 
Juppiter et laeto descendet plurimus imbri. 60 

CORYDON. 

Populus Alcidae gratissima, vitis lacclio, 
Formosae myrtus Veneri, sua laurea Phoebo ; 
Phyllis amat corylos ; illas dum Phyllis amabit, 
JSTec myrtus vincet corylos, nee laurea Phoebi. 



24 p. vergili maronis bucolic a. 

Thyrsis. 

Fraxinus in silvis pulcherrima, pinus in hortis, 65 

Populus in fluviis, abies in montibus altis ; 
Saepius at si me, Lycida formose, revisas, 
Fraxinus in silvis cedat tibi, pinus in hortis. 

Meliboeus. 

Haec memini, et victum frustra contendere Thyrsim. 
Ex illo Cory don Cory don est tempore nobis. 70 



ECLOGA vm. 

PHARMACEUTEIA. 

DA LI ON. ALPHESIBOEUS. 



Pastorum Musam Damonis et Alphesiboei, 

Immemor herbarum quos est mirata juvenca 

Certantes, quorum stupefactae carmine lynces, 

Et mutata suos requierunt flumina cursus, 

Damonis Musam dicemus et Alphesiboei. 5 

Tu mihi seu magni superas jam saxa Timavi, 
Sive Oram Illyrici legis aequoris, en erit umquam 
Ille dies, mihi cum liceat tua dicere facta ? 
En erit, ut liceat totum mihi ferre per orbem 
Sola Sophocleo tua carmlna digna cothurno ? 10 

A te principium, tibi deslnet. Accipe jussis 
Carmina coepta tuis, atque banc sine tempora circum 
Inter victrices hederam tibi serpere laurus. 



ECLOGA VIII. 25 

Frigida vix caelo noctis decesserat umbra, 
Quiim ros in tenera pecori gratissimus herba, 15 

Incumbens tereti Damon sic coepit olivae : 

Damon. 

Nascere, praeque diem veniens age, Lucifer, almum, 
Conjugis indigno Nisae deceptus amore 
Dum queror, et divos, quamquamnil testibus illis 
Profeci, extrema moriens tamen alloquor bora. 20 

Incipe Maenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Maenalus argutumque nemus pinosque loquentes 
Semper babet ; semper pastorum ille audit amores, 
Panaque, qui primus calamos non passus inertes. 
Incipe Maenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 25 

Mopso Nisa datur : quid non speremus amantes ? 
Jungentur jam gryphes equis, aevoque sequenti 
Cum canibus timidi venient ad pocula damae. 
Mopse, novas incide faces : tibi ducitur uxor ; 
Sparge, marite, nuces : tibi deserit Hesperus Oetam. 30 
Incipe Maenabos mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
O digno conjuncta viro ! dum despicis omnes, 
Dumque tibi est odio mea fist#a dumque capellae 
Hirsutumque supercilium promissaque barba. 
Nee curare deum credis mortalia quemquam. 35 

Incipe Maenabos mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Sepibus in nostris parvam te roscida mala — 
Dux ego vester eram — vidi cum matre legentem. 
Alter ab undecimo tum me jam acceperat annus ; 
Jam fragiles poteram ab terra contingere ramos. 40 

Ut vidi, ut perii ! ut me malus abstulit error ! 
Incipe Maenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 
Nunc scio, quid sit Amor ; duris in cotibus ilium 
Aut Tmaros, aut Rhodope, aut extremi Garamantes, 



26 p. VERGILI MAUONIS BUCOLICA." 

Nec generis nostri puerum nee sanguinis eclunt. 

Incipe Maenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 

Saevus Amor docuit natorum sanguine matrem 

Conimaculare manus ; crudelis tu quoque, mater ; 

Crudelis mater magis, an ])uer improbus ille ? 

Improbus ille puer ; crudelis tu quoque, mater. 50 

Incipe Maenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 

Nunc et oves ultro fugiat lupus, aurea durae 

Mala ferant quercus, narcisso floreat alnus, 

Pinguia corticibus sudent electra myricae, S 

Certent et cycnis ululae, sit Tityrus Orpheus, 55 ^ 

Orpheus in silvis, inter delphuias Arion. 

Incipe Maenalios mecum, mea tibia, versus. 

Omnia vel medium fiant mare. Vivite, silvae : 

Praeceps aerii specula de montis in undas 

Deferar ; extremum hoc munus morientis habeto. 60 

Desine Maenalios, jam desine, tibia, versus. 

Haec Damon ; vos, quae responderit Alphesiboeus, 
Dicite, Pierides ; non omnia possumus omnes. 

Alphesiboeus. 
Effer aquam, et molli cmge haec altaria vitta, 
Verbenasque adole pingues et inascula tura : 65 

Conjugis ut magicis sanos avertere sacris 
Experiar sensus ; nihil hie nisi carmina desunt. 
Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnim. 
Carmina vel caelo possunt deducere Lunam ; 
Carminibus Circe socios mutavit Ulixi ; 70 

Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur anguis. 
Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnim. 
Terna tibi haec primum triplici diversa colore 
Licia circumdo, terque haec altaria circum 
Eihgiem duco ; numero deus impare gaudet. 75 

Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnim. 



ECLOGA VITI. 2T 

Necte tribus nodis ternos, Amarylli, colores ; 

Necte, Amarylli,modo,et, "Veneris," die, "vinculanecto." 

Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daplinim. 

Limus ut hie dureseit, et haec ut eera liqueseit 80 

Uno eodemque igni : sie nostro Daplmis amore. 

Sparge molam, et fragiles incende bitumine laurus. 

Daphnis me malus urit, ego banc in Daphnide laurum. 

Ducite ab nrbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnim. 

Talis amor Dapbnim, qualis quum fessa juvencum 85 

Per nemora atque altos quaerendo bucula lucos 

Propter aquae rivum viridi procumbit in ulva, 

Perdita, nee serae meminit decedere nocti, 

Talis amor teneat, nee sit mihi cura mederi. 

Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnim. 90 

Has olim exuvias mihi perfidus ille reliquit, 

Pignora cara sui ; quae nunc ego limine in ipso, 

Terra, tibi mando ; del^ent haec pignora Daphnim. 

Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnim. 

Has herbas atque haec Ponto mihi lecta venena 95 

Ipse dedit Moeris ; nascuntur plurima Ponto. 

His ego saepe lupum fieri et se condere silvis 

Moerim, saepe animas imis excire sepulcris 

Atque satas alio vidi traducere messes. 

Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnim. 100 

Fer cineres, Amarylli, foras, rivoque fluenti 

Transque caput j ace ; nee respexeris. His ego Daphnim 

Aggrediar ; nihil ille deos, nil carmina curat. 

Ducite ab urbe domum, mea carmina, ducite Daphnim. 

Aspice, corripuit tremulis altaria flammis 105 

Sponte sua, dum ferre moror, cinis ipse. Bonum sit ! 

Nescio quid certe est, et Hylax in limine latrat. 

Credimus ? an, qui amant, ipsi sibi somnia fingunt ? 

Parcite, ab urbe venit, jam parcite, carmina, Daphnis. 



28 p. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA. 

ECLOGA IX. 

M E K I S . 

LYCIDAS. MOERIS. 



Lycidas. 
Quo te, Moeri, pedes ? an, quo via ducit, in urbem ? 

MoERis. 
O Lycida, vivi pervenimus, advena nostri, 
Quod numquam veriti sumus, ut possessor agelli 
Diceret : " Haec mea sunt ; veteres migrate coloni." 
Nunc victi, tristes, quoniam Fors omnia versat, 5 

Hos illi — quod nee vertat bene — mittimus liaedos. 

Lycidas. 
Certe equidem audieram, qua se subducere colles 
Incipiunt, mollique jugum demittere clivo, 
Usque ad aquam et veteres, jam f'racta cacumina, fagos 
Omnia carminibus vestrum servasse Menalcan. 10 

MoiKRIS. 

Audieras, et fama fuit ; sed carmina tan turn 

Nostra valent, Lycida, tela inter Martia, quantum 

Chaonias dicunt aquila veniente columbas. 

Quod nisi me quacumque novas incidere lites 

Ante sinistra cava monuisset ab ilice cornix, 15 

Nee tuus hie Moeris, nee viveret ipse Menalcas. 

Lycidas. 
Heu, cadit in quemquam tantum scelus ? heu, tua nobis 
Paene simul tecum solatia rapta, Menalca ? 



ECLOGA IX. 29 

Quis caneret Nymphas ? quis liumum florentibus herbis 
Spargeret, aut viridi fontes induceret umbra ? 20 

Vel quae sublegi tacitus tibi carmina nuper, 
QuTim te ad delicias ferres, Amaryllida, nostras ? 
" Tityre, dum redeo — brevis est via — ^pasce capellas, 
Et potum pastas age, Tityre, et inter agendum 
Occursare capro, cornu ferit ille, caveto." 25 

MOERIS. 

Immo haec, quae Varo nee dum perfecta canebat : 
" Vare, tuum nomen, super et mo do Mantua nobis, 
Mantua, vae, miser ae nimium vicina Cremonae, 
Cantantes sublime ferent ad sidera cycni." 

Lycidas. 
Sic tua Cymeas fagiant examina taxos ; 30 

Sic cytiso pastae distendant ubera vaccae : 
Incipe, si quid babes. Et me fecere poetam 
Pierides ; sunt et mihi carmina ; me quoque dicunt 
Yatem pastores ; sed non ego credulus illis. 
Nam neque adhuc Vario videor, nee dicere Cinna 35 

Digna, sed argutos inter strepere anser olores. 

MOERIS. 

Id quidem ago et tacitus, Lycida, mecum ipse voluto, 
Si valeam meminisse ; neque est ignobile carmen. 
" Hue ades, o Galatea ; quis est nam ludus in undis ? 
Hie ver purpureum, varios hie flumina circum 40 

Fundit humus flores, hie Candida populus antro 
Imminet, et lentae texunt umbracula vites. 
Hue ades ; insani feriant sine litora fluctus." 

Lycidas. 
Quid, quae te pura solum sub nocte canentem 
Audieram ? numeros memini, si verba tenerem. 45 

3* 



30 p. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICA. 

MOERIS. 

" Daplini, quid antlquos signorum suspicis ortus ? 

Ecc^Dionaei^ocessit Caesarls astrum, 

Astrum, quo segetes gauderent frugibus, et quo 

Duceret apricis in collibus uva colorem. 

Insere, Daplini, piros ; carpent tua poma nepotes." 50 

Omnia fert aetas, animum quoque ; saepe ego longos 

Cantando puerum niemini me condere soles : 

Nunc oblita mihi tot carmina ; vox quoque Moerim 

Jam fugit i2:>sa ; lupi Moerim videre priores. 

Sed tamen ista satis referet tibi saepe Menalcas. 5b 

Lycidas. 

Causando nostros in longum ducis am ores. 
Et nunc omne tibi stratum silet aequor, et omnes, 
Aspice, ventosi ceciderunt murmuris aurae ; 
Hinc adeo media est nobis via ; namque sepulcrum 
Incipit apparere Bianoris : liic, ubi densas 60 

Agricolae stringunt frondes, liic, Moeri, canamus ; 
Hie liaedos depone, tamen veniemus in urbem. 
Aut si, nox pluviam ne colligat ante, veremur, 
Cantantes licet usque — minus via laedit — eamus ; 
Cantantes ut eamus, ego hoc te fasce levabo. 66 

MOERIS. 

Desine plura, puer, et, quod nunc instat, agamus. 
Carmina tum melius, quum venerit ipse, canemus. 



i 



ECLOGA X. 31 

ECLOGA X. 

G A L L U S . 



Extremum liunc, Arethusa, mihi concede laborem. 

Pauca meo Gallo, sed quae legat ipsa Lycoris, 

Carmina sunt dicenda : neget quis carmina Gallo ? 

Sic tibi, quum fluctus subterlabere Sicanos, 

Doris amara suam non intermisceat undam : 5 

Incipe ; sollicitos Galli dicamus amores, 

Dum tenera attondent simae virgulta capellae. 

Non canimus surdis ; respondent omnia silvae. 

Quae nemora, aut qui vos saltus habuere, puellae 
Naides, indigno quum Gallus am ore peribat ? 10 

Nam neque Parnasi vobis juga, nam neque Pindi 
Ulla moram fecere, neque Aonie Aganippe. 
Ilium etiam lauri, etiam flevere myricae ; 
Pinifer ilium etiam sola sub rupe jacentem 
Maenalus et gelidi fleverunt saxa Lycaei. 15 

Stant et oves circum ; — nostri nee poenitet illas, 
Nee te poeniteat pecoris, divine poeta : 
Et formosus oves ad flumina pa^dt Adonis — 
Venit et upilio ; tardi venere subulci ; 
Uvidus hiberna venit de glande Menalcas. 20 

Omnes " Unde amor iste," rogant, " tibi ? " Yenit Apollo : 
" Galle, quid insanis?" inquit) "tua cura Lycoris 
Perque nives alium perque horrida castra secuta est." 
Venit et agresti capitis Silvanus lionore, 
Florentes ferulas et grandia lilia quassans. 25 

Pan deus Arcadiae venit, quem vidimus ipsi 
'Sanguineis ebuli baccis minioque rubentem, 
"Ecquis erit modus ?" inquit ; "Amor non talia curat; 



32 p. YEUGILI MAPcONIS BUCOLIC A. 

Nee lacrimis crudelis Amor, nee gramina rivis, 

Nee cytiso saturantur apes, nee fronde capellae." 30 

Tristis at ille : " Tamen cantabitis, Arcades," in quit, 

" Montibus haec vestris, soli can tare periti 

Ai'cades. O mibi turn quam molliter ossa qniescant, 

Vestra meos olim si fistula die at amores I 

Atque utinam ex vobis unus, vestrique fuissem 35 

Aut custos gregis, aut maturae vinitor uvae ! 

Certe, sive milii Phyllis, sive esset Amyntas, 

Seu quicumque furor, — quid turn, si fuscus Amyntas ? 

Et nififrae violae sunt et vaccinia nigra — 

Mecum inter salices lenta sub vite jaceret ; 40 

Serta mihi Pli3dlis legeret, cantaret Amyntas. 

Hie gelidi fontes, hie mollia prata, Lycori, 

Hie nemus ; hie ipso tecum consumer er aevo. 

Nunc insanus amor duri me Martis in armis 

Tela inter media atque adversos detinet hostes : 45 

Tu procul a patria — nee sit mihi credere tantum ! — 

Alpinas ah, dura, nives et frigora Rheni 

Me sine sola vides. Ah, te ne frigora laedant ! 

Ah, tibi ne teneras glacies secet aspera plantas ! 

Ibo, et, Chalcidico quae sunt mihi condita versu 50 

Carmina, pastoris Siculi modulabor avena. 

Certum est in silvis, inter spelaea ferarum 

Malle pati tenerisque meos ineidere amores 

Arboribus ; crescent illae, crescetis, amores. 

Interea mixtis lustrabo Maenala Nymphis, 55 

Aut acres venabor apros. Non me ulla vetabunt 

Frigora Partheiiios canibus circumdare saltus. 

Jam mihi per rupes videor lucosque sonantes 

Ire ; libet Partho torquere Cydonia cornu 

Spicula. — Tamquam haec sit nostri medicina fiiroris, 60 

Aut deus ille malis hominum mitescere discat ! 



ecloga X. 33 

Jam neque Hamad ryades rursus nee carmina nobis 

Ipsa placent ; ipsae rursus concedite silvae. 

Non ilium nostri possunt mutare labores, 

Nee si frigoribus mediis Hebrumque bibamus, 65 

Sitlioniasque nives hiemis subeamus aquosae, 

Nee si, quum moriens alta liber aret in ulmo, 

Aetliiopum versemus oves sub sidere Cancri. 

Omnia vincit Amor ; et nos cedamus Amori. " 

Haee sat erit, divae, vestnim cecinisse poetam, 70 

Dum sedet et gracili fiscellam texit hibiseo, 
Pierides ; vos liaee faeietis maxima Gallo, 
Gallo, cujus amor tantum mihi ereseit in horas, 
Quantum vere novo viridis se subjieit alnus. 
Surgamus : solet esse gravis eantantibus umbra ; 75 

Juniperi gravis umbra ; noeent et frugibus umbrae. 
Ite domum saturae, venit Hesperus, ite capellae. 



p. VERGILI MAHONIS 

GEORGICON 

LIBER PRIMUS. 



Quid laciat laetas segetes, quo siclere terrain 

Vertere, Maecenas?, iilmisque acljungere vites 

Conveniat, qnae;cm^a bourn, qiiT cultiis liabendo 

Sit pecorfi^ apibiis quanta experientia parcis, 

Hinc cai'ior^ iiicij-iani. Vos, o clarfssima mundi 5 

Lumina, labentem caelo quae ducitis annum ; 

Liber et alma Ceres, vestro si munere tellus 

Chaoniam pingui glandem muta^-it arista, 

Poculaquc inventis Acheloia miscuit uvis ; 

Et vos, agrestum praesentia numina, Fauni, 10 

Ferte simul Faunique pedem Dryadesque puellae : 

Muiiera vestra cano. Tuque o, cui prima frementem 

Fudit equum magno tellus percussa tridouti, 

Neptune; et cultor neniovviiii, vul niuguia Ceae 

Ter centum nivei tondent dumeta juvenci ; 15 

Ipse, nemus linquens patrium saltusque Lycaei, 

Pan, ovium custos, tua si tibi Maenala curae, 

Adsis, o Tegeaee, favens, oleaeque Minerva 

Inventrix, uncique puer monstrator aratri, 

Et teneram ab radrce fereus, Silvane, cupressum, 20 

Diquc deaeque omnes, studium quibus arva tueri, 

Qutque novas aliiis noii iiUo semine fruges, 



i 



I 

^ LIBER PRIMUS. OO 

Quique satis largum caelo demittitis imbreni ; 

Tuque iiclco, qucm mox quae stnt habitura deoriim 

Concilia, iiicertum est, urbesne invisere, Caesar, 25 

Terrarunique velis curam, et te maximus orbis 

Auctorem fruguni teni]^e5.tatumque potentem 

Accipiat, cingens materna tempora myrto, 

An dens iinmensi venias maris, ac tua nautae 

Numina sola colant, tibi serviat ultima Thule, 30 

Teque sibi generum Tetliys emat omnibus undis ; 

Anne novum tardis sidus te mensibus addas. 

Qua locus Erigonen mter Ciielasque sequentes 

Panditur ; ipse tibi jam bracliia contrahit ardens 

Scorpios, et caeli jiista plus parte reliquit; 35 

Quidquid eris, — nam te nee sperant Tartara regem, 

Nee tibi regnandi veniat tarn dira cupido ; 

Quamvis Eljsibs miretur Graecia campos, 

Nee repctita. sequi curet Proserpina matrem — 

Da facilem cursum, atque audacibus annu : coeptis, 40 

Ignarosque viae mecum miseratus agreste^ 

Ingredere, et votis jam nunc assuesce vocari. 

Vere noA'o, gelidus canis quum montibus humor 
Licpiitur et Zepliyro putris se gieba resolvit, 
Depresso rncipiat jam turn milii taui^us aratro 45 

Ingemere, et sulco attritus splendescere vomer. 
Ilia seges demum voti^ respondet aivari 
Agricolae, bis quae solem, bis frigora sensit ; 
Illius immensae ruperunt liorrea messes. 
Ac prius ignbtum ferro quam scindimus aequor, 50 

Ventos et varinm caeli praediscere morem 
Cura sit ac patrios cultusque-habitusque locorum, 
Et quid quaeque ferat regi^, et quid quaeque recuset. 
Hie segetes, illic veniunt felicius uvae ; 
Arborei fetus alibi, atque inju?sa virescunt 55 



36 p. VERGILI MAR0NI3 GEORGICON 

Gramina. Nonne viclcs, croceos ut Tmolus odores, 

India mittit ebur, molles sua tura Sabaei, 

At Glial} bes nudi ferrum, \'irosa(][ne Pontus 

Gastorea, Elladum palmas Epirus equarum ? 

Gontinuo has leges aeternaque foedera certis 60 

Imposuit natiira locis, quo tempore primum 

Deucalion vacuum lapides jactavit in orbem, 

Unde homines nati, durum genus. Ergo age, terrae 

Pingue solum primis extemplo a mensibus anni 

Fortes invertant tauri, glebasque jacentes 65 

Pulverulenta coquat maturis solibus aestas ; 

At si non fuerit tellus fecunda, sub ipsum 

Arcturum tenui sat erit suspendere sulco ; 

Illic, officiant laetis ne frugibus herbae, 

Hie, sterilem exiguus ne deserat humor arenam. 70 

Alternis idem tonsas cessare novales, 
Et segnem patiere situ durescere campum ; 
Aut ibi flava seres mutato sidere farra, 
Unde prius laetum siliqua quassante legumen 
Aut tenuis fetus viciae tristisque lupini 75 

Sustuleris fraglles calamos silvamque sonantem. 
Urit enim lini campum seges, urit avenae, 
Urunt Lethaeo perfusa papavera somno i 
Sed tamen alternis facilis labor ; arid a tantiim 
Ne saturare iimo ping-ui pudeat sola, neve 80 

Effetos cinerem immundum jactare per agros. 
Sic quoque mutatis requlescunt fetibus arva. 
Nee nulla interea est inaratae gratia terrae. ' 

Saepe etiam steriles incendere profuit agros 
Atque levem stipulam crepitantibus urere flammis : 85 
Sive inde occultas vires et pabula terrae 
Pinguia eoncipiunt ; sive illis omne per ignera 
Excoquitur vitium, atque exsudat inu tills humor ; 



i 



LIBER PRIMUS. 



37 



Seu plures calor ille vias et caeca relaxat 

Spiramenta, novas veniat qua sucus in herbas ; 90 

Seu durat magis, et venas astringit hiantes, 

Ne tenues pluviae, rapidlve potentia solis 

Acrior, aut Boreae penetrabile frigns adurat. 

Multum adeo, rastris glebas qui frangit inertes 
Vimineasqne traliit crates, juvat arva ; neque ilium 95 
Flava Ceres alto nequicquam spectat Olympo ; 
Et qui, proscisso quae suscitat aequore terga, 
Rursus in obliquum verso perrumpit aratro, 
Exercetque frequens tellurem, atque imperat arvis. 

Humida solstitia atque liiemes orate serenas, 100 

Agricolae ; hiberno laetissima pulvere farra, 
Laetus ager : nullo tantum se Mysia cultu 
Jactat et ipsa suas mirantur Gargara messes. 
Quid dicam, jacto qui semine comminus arva 
Insequitiu' cumulosque ruit male pinguis arenae ? 105 
Delude satis fluvium inducit rivosque sequentes, 
Et, quum. exustus ager morientibus aestuat herbis, 
Ecce supercilio clivosi tramitis undam 
Elicit ? ilia cadens raucum per levia murmur 
Saxa ciet, scatebrisque arentia temperat arva. 110 

Quid, qui, ne gravidis procumbat culmus aristis, 
Luxuriem segetum tenera depascit in berba, 
Quum primum sulcos aequant sata ? quique paludis 
Collectum bumorem bibula deducit arena ? 
Praesertim incertis si mensibus amnis abundans 115 

Exit, et obducto late tenet omnia limo, 
Unde cavae tepido sudant humore lacunae. 

Nee tamen, liaec quum sint hominumque boumque 
labores 
Versando terram expert!, nibil improbus anser 
Strymoniaeque gi'ues et amaris intuba fibris 120 

4 



38 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON- 

Officiunt aut umbra nocet. Pater ipse colendi 

Haud facilem esse viam voluitj primusque per artem 

Movit agros, curis acuens mortalia corda, 

Nee torpere gravi passus sua regna veterno. 

Ante Jovem nulli subigebant arva coloni ; 125 

Ne signare quidem aut partiri limite campum 

Fas erat : in medium quaerebant, ipsaque tellus 

Omnia liberius, nullo poscente, ferebat. 

Ille malum virus serpentibus addidit atris, 

Praedarique lupos jussit, pontumque moveri, 130 

Mellaque decussit foliis, ignemque removit, 

Et passim rivis currentia vina repressit, 

Ut varias usus meditando extunderet artes 

Paulatim, et sulcis frumenti quaereret herbam, 

Ut silicis venis abstrusum excuderet ignem. 135 

Tunc alnos primum fluvii sensere cavatas ; 

Navita tum stellis numeros et nomina fecit, 

Pleiadas, Hyadas, claramque Lycaonis Arcton ; 

Tum laqueis captare feras,et fallere visco 

Inventum, et magnos canibus circumdare saltus. 140 

Atque alius latum funda jam verberat amnem 

Alta petens, pelagoque alius trahit humida Una. 

Tum ferri rigor atque argutae lamina serrae, — 

Nam primi cuneis scindebant fissile lignum — 

Tum variae venere artes. Labor omnia vicit 145 

Improbus et duris urgens in rebus egestas. 

Prima Ceres ferro mortales vertere terram 

Instituit, quum jam glandes atque arbuta sacrae 

Deficerent silvae et victum Dodona negaret. 

Mox et frumentis labor additus, ut mala culmos 150 

Esset robigo segnisque horreret in arvis 

Carduus ; intereunt segetes, subit aspera silva, 

Lappaeque tribulique^ interque nitentia culta 



LIBER PRIMUS. 39 

Infelix lolium et steiiles dominant ur avenae. 

Quod nisi et assiduis lierbam insectabere rastris, 155 

Et sonitu terrebis aves, et ruris opaci 

Falce premes umbram, votisque vocaveris imbrem, 

Heu, magnum alterius frustra spectabis acervum, 

Concussaque famem in silvis solabere quercu. 

Dicendum et, quae sint duris agrestibus arma, 160 

Quis sine nee potuere seri nee surgere messes : 
Vomis et inflexi primum grave robur aratri, 
Tardaque Eleusinae matris volventia plaustra, 
Tribulaque, trabeaeque, et iniquo pondere rastri ; 
Virgea praeterea Celei vilisque supellex, 165 

Arbuteae crates et mystica vannus laccbi. 
Omnia quae multo ante memor provisa repones, 
Si te digna manet divini gloria ruris. 
Continuo in silvis magna vi flexa domatur 
In burim et curvi formam accipit ulmus aratri. 170 

Huic ab stirpe pedes temo protentus in octo, 
Binae aures, duplici aptantur dentalia dorso. 
Caeditur et tilia ante jugo levis, altaque fagus 
Stivaque, quae currus a tergo torqueat imos ; 
Et suspensa focis explorat robora fumus. 175 

Possum multa tibi veterum praecepta referre, 
Ni refugis tenuesque piget cognoscere curas. 
Area cum primis ingenti aequanda cylindro 
Et vertenda manu et creta solidanda tenaci, 
Ne subeant herbae, neu pulvere victa fatiscat, 180 

Tum variae illudant pestes : saepe exiguus mus 
Sub terris posuitque domos atque horrea fecit ; 
Aut oculis capti fodere cubilia talpae ; 
Inventusque cavis bufo, et quae plurima terrae 
Monstra fenint ; populatque ingentem farris acervum 185 
Curculio, atque inopi metuens formica senectae. 



40 p. VERGILI MAR0NI3 GEORGICON 

Contemplator item, qunm se nnx plurima silvis 
Induet in florem, et ramos curvabit olentes : 
Si superant fetus, pariter fr amenta sequentur, 
Magnaqne cum magno veniet tritura calore ; 190 

At si luxuria foliorum exuberat umbra, 
Nequicquam pingues palea teret area culmos. 

Semina vidi equidem multos medicare serentes 
Et nitro prius et nigra perfundere amurca, 
Grandior ut fetus siliquis fallacibus esset, 195 

Et, quamvis igni exiguo, properata maderent. 
Yidi lecta diu et multo spectata labore 
Degenerare tamen, ni vis humana quot annis 
Maxima quaeque manu legeret. Sic omnia fatis 
In pejus ruere, ac retro sublapsa referri ; 200 

Non aliter, quam qui adverso vix flumine lembum 
Remigiis subigit, si bracliia forte remisit, 
Atque ilium in praecejos prono rapit alveus amni. 

Praeterea tarn sunt Arcturi sidera nobis 
Haedorumque dies servandi et lucidus Anguis, 205 

Quam quibus in patriam ventosa per aequora vectis 
Pontus et ostriferi fauces tentantur Abydi. 
Libra die somnique pares ubi fecerit lioras, 
Et medium luci atque umbris jam dividit orbem, 
Exercete, viri, tauros, serite hordea campis, 210 

Usque sub extremum brumae intractabilis imbrem ; 
Nee non et lini segetem et Cereale papaver 
Tempus liumo tegere, et jamdudum incumbere aratris, 
Dum sicca tellure licet, dum nubila pendent. 
Yere fabis satio ; turn te quoque, Medica, putres 215 

Accipiunt sulci, et milio venit annua cura : 
Candidus auratis aperit quam cornibus annum 
Taurus, et adverso cedens Canis occidit astro. 
At si triticeam in messem robustaque farra 



LIBER PRIMUS. 41 

Exercebis Immum solisque instabis aristis, 220 

Ante tibi Eoae Atlantides abscondantur 

Gnosiaque ardentis decedat stella Coronae, 

Debita quam sulcis committas semina, quamque 

Invitae proper es anni spem credere terrae. 

Multi ante occasum Maiae coepere ; sed illos 225 

Exspectata seges vanis elusit aristis. 

Si vero viciamque seres vilemque phaselum 

Nee Pelusiacae curam aspernabere lentis, 

Haud obscura cadens mittettibi signa Bootes : 

Incipe, et ad medias sementem extende pruinas. 230 

Idcirco certis dimensum partibns orbem 
Per duodena regit mmidi Sol aureus astra. 
Quinque tenent caelum zonae ; quarum una corusco 
Semper sole rubens et torrida semper ab igni ; 
Quam circum extremae dextra laevaque traliuntur, 235 
Caerulea glacie concretae atque imbribus atris ; 
Has inter mediamque duae mortalibus aegris 
Munere concessae divum ; et via secta per ambas, 
Obliquus qua se signorum verteret ordo. 
Mundus, ut ad Scythiam Rliipaeasque arduus arces 240 
Consurgit, premitur Libyae devexus in Austros. 
Hie vertex nobis semper sublimis ; at ilium 
Sub pedibus Styx atra videt Manesque profundi. 
Maximus liic flexu sinuoso elabitur Anguis 
Circum perque duas in morem fluminis Arctos, 245 

Arctos Oceani metuentes aequore tingi. 
Illic, ut perliibent, aut intempesta silet nox, 
Semper et obtenta densantur nocte tenebrae ; 
Aut redit a nobis Aurora diemque reducit ; 
Nosque ubi primus equis Oriens afflavit anhelis, 250 

Illic sera rubens accendit lumina Vesper. 
Hinc tempestates dubio praediscere caelo 

4* 



42 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEOUGICON 

Possumus, hinc messisque diem tempusque serendi, 

Et quando infidum remis impellere marmor 

Conveniat, quando armatas deducere classes, 255 

Ant tempestivam silvis evertere pinum : 

Nee frustra signorum obitus speculamur et ortus, 

Temporibusque parem diversis quattuor annum. 

Frigidus agricolam si quando continet imber , 
Multa, forent quae mox caelo properanda sereno, 260 
Maturare datur : durum procudit arator 
Vomeris obtusi dentem ; cavat arbore lintres ; 
Aut pecori signum aut numeros impressit acervis. 
Exacuunt alii vallos furcasque bicornes, 
Atque Amerina parant lentae retinacula viti. 265 

Nunc facilis rubea texatur fiscina vircra ; 
Nunc torrete igni fruges, nunc frangite saxo. 
Quippe etiam festis quaedam exercere diebus 
Fas et jura sinunt : rivos deducere nulla 
Religio vetuit, segeti praetendere sepem, 270 

Insidias avibus moliri, incendere vepres, 
Balantumque gregem iluvio mersare salubri. 
Saepe oleo tardi costas agitator aselli 
Vilibus aut onerat pomis ; lapidemque revertens 
Incusum aut atrae massam picis urbe reportat. 275 

Ipsa dies alios alio dedit ordine Luna 
Felices operum. Quintam fuge : pallidus Orcus 
Eumenidesque satae ; tum partu Terra nefando 
Coeumque lapetumque creat, saevumque Typlioea, 
Et conjuratos caelum rescindere fratres. 280 

Ter sunt conati imponere Pelio Ossam 
Scilicet, atque Ossae frondosum involvere Olympum ; 
Ter Pater exstructos disjecit fulmine montes. 
Septima post decimam felix et ponere vitem, 
Et prensos domitare boves, et licia telae 285 



LIBER PRIMUS. 43 I 

I 

Addere ; nona fugae melior, contraria ftirtis. ; 

Multa adeo gelida melius se nocte dedere, ' 

Aut quum sole novo terras irrorat Eous. 

Nocte leves melius stipulae, nocte arida prata j 

Tondentur ; noctes lentus non deficit humor. 290 j 

Et quidam seros hiberni ad luminis ignes ] 

Pervigilat, ferroque faces inspicat acuto ; ! 

Interea longum cantu solata laborem ; 

Arguto conjux percurrit pectine telas, j 

Aut dulcis musti Vulcano decoquit humorem 295 

Et foliis undam trepidi despumat aeni. 

At rubicunda Ceres medio succiditur aestu, 
Et medio tostas aestu terit area fruges. , 

Nudus ara, sere nudus : hiems ignava colono. 
Frigoribus parto agricolae plerumque fruuntur, 300 ; 

Mutuaque inter se laeti convivia curant ; \ 

Invitat genialis hiems curasque resolvit : 
Ceu pressae quum jam portum tetigere carinae, 
Puppibus et laeti nautae imposuere coronas. i 

Sed tamen et quernas glandes turn stringere tempus 305 ] 

Et lauri baccas oleamque cruentaque myrta ; 
Tum gruibus pedicas et retia ponere cervis, 
Auritosque sequi lepores ; tum figere damas, 

Stuppea torquentem Balearis verbera fundae, i 

Quum nix alta jacet, glaciem quum flumina trudunt. 310 

Quid tempestates auctumni et sidera dicam, 
Atque, ubi jam breviorque dies et mollior aestas, 
Quae vigilanda viris ? vel quum ruit imbriferum ver, ] 

Spicea jam campis quum messis inhorruit, et quum ' 

Frumenta in viridi stipula lactentia turgent ? 315 ' 

Saepe ego, quum flavis messorem induceret arvis , 

Agricola et fragili jam stringeret hordea culmo, i 

Omnia ventorum concurrere proelia vidi, • 



44 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICOI^ 

Quae gravidam late segetem ab radicibus imis 
Sublimem expulsam eruerent ; ita turbine nigro 320 

Ferret hiems culmumque levem stipulasque volantes. 
Saepe etiam immensum caelo venit agmen aquarum, 
Et foedam glomerant tempestatem imbribus atris 
CoUectae ex alto nubes ; ruit arduus aether, 
Et pluvia ingenti sata laeta boumque labores 325 

Diluit ; implentur fossae, et cava flumina crescunt 
Cum sonitu, fervetque fretis spirantibus aequor. 
Ipse Pater media nimborum in nocte corusca 
Fulmina molitur dextra ; quo maxima motu 
Terra tremit ; fngere ferae, et mortalia corda 330 

Per gentes humilis stravit pavor ; ille flagranti 
Aut Atlion, aut Rliodopen, aut alta Ceraunia telo 
Dejicit ; ingeminant Austri etdensissimus imber ; 
Nunc nemora ingenti vento, nunc litora plangunt. 

Hoc metuens, caeli menses et sidera serva ; 335 

Frigida Saturni sese quo stella receptet ; 
Quos ignis caelo Cyllenius erret in orbes. 
In primis venerare deos, atque annua magnae 
Sacra refer Cereri laetis operatus in lierbis, 
Extremae sub casum hiemis, jam vere sereno. 340 

Tum pingues agni, ettum mollissima vina ; 
Tum somni dulces densaeque in montibus umbrae. 
Cuncta tibi Cererem pubes agrestis adoret ; 
Cui tu lacte favos et miti dilue Baccho ; 
Terque novas circum felix eat hostia fruges, 345 

Omnis quam chorus et socii comitentur ovantes, 
Et Cererem clamore vocent in tecta ; neque ante 
Falcem maturis quisquam supponat aristis, 
Quam Cereri torta redimitus tempora quercu 
Det motus incompositos et carmina dicat. 350 

Atque haec ut certis possemus discere signis, 



LIBER PRIMUS. 45 

Aestusque, pluvlasque, et agentes frigora ventos, i 

Ipse Pater statuit, quid menstrua Luna moneret ; ■ 

Quo signo caderent Austri ; quid saepe videntes j 

Agricolae propius stabulis armenta tenerent. 355 | 

Continue, ventis surgentibus, aut freta ponti ' 

Incipiunt agitata tumescere et aridus altis j 

Montibus audiri fragor, aut resonantia longe i 

Litora misceri et nemorum increbrescere murmur. ! 

Jam sibi tum a curvis male temperat unda carinis, 360 1 

Quum medio celeres revolant ex aequore mergi 

Clamoremque ferunt ad litora, quumque marinae ; 

In sicco ludunt fulicae, notasque paludes 

Deserit atque altam supra volat ardea nubem. | 

Saepe etiam stellas, vento impendente, videbis 365 j 

Praecipites caelo labi, noctisque per umbram ] 

Flammarum longos a tergo albescere tractus ; \ 

Saepe levem paleam et frondes volitare caducas, 

Aut summa nantes in aqua colludere plumas. 

At Boreae de parte trucis quum fulminat, et quum 370 ; 

Eurique Zephjrique tonat domus ; omnia plenis 

Rura natant fossis, atque omnis navita ponto 

Humida vela legit. Numquam imprudentibus imber 

Obfait : aut ilium suro-entem vallibus imis 

C5 

Aeriae fuo:ere oTues, aut bucula caelum 375 

Suspiciens patulis captavit naribus auras, 

Aut arguta lacus circumvolitavit hirundo, 

Et veterem in limo ranae cecinere querelam. 

Saepius et tectis penetralibus extulit ova ; 

Angustum formica terens iter ; et bibit ingens 380 ] 

Arcus ; et e pastu clecedens agmine magno 

Corvorum increpuit densis exercitus alls. ' 

Jam variae pelagi volucres, et quae Asia circum I 

Dulcibus in stagnis rimantur prata Caystri, : 



46 p. VEEGILI MAROXIS GEORGICON 

Certatim largos liumeris infundere rores, 385 

Nunc caput object are fretis, nunc currere in undas, 
Et studio incassum videas gestire lavandi. 
Turn cornix plena pluviam vocat improba voce 
Et sola in sicca secum spatiatur arena. 
Ne nocturna quidem carpentes pensa puellae 390 

Nescivere biemem, testa quum ardente viderent 
Scintillare oleum et putres concrescere fungos. 

Nee minus ex imbri soles et aperta serena 
Prospicere et certis poteris cognoscere signis : 
Nam neque turn stellis acies obtusa videtur, 395 

Nee fratris radiis obnoxia surgere Luna, 
Tenuia nee lanae per caelum vellera ferri ; 
Non tepidum ad solem pennas in litore pandunt 
Dilectae Tlietidi alcyones, non ore solutos 
Immundi meminere sues jactare maniplos. 400 

At nebulae magis ima petunt campoque recumbunt, 
Solis et occasum servans de culmine summo 
Nequicquam seros exercet noctua cantus. 
Apparet liquido sublimis in aere Nisus, 
Et pro purpureo poenas dat Scylla capillo ; 405 

Quacumque ilia levem fugiens secat aetbera pennis, 
Ecce inimicus, atrox, magno stridore per auras 
Insequitur Nisus ; qua se fert Nisus ad auras, 
Ilia levem fugiens raptim secat aethera pennis. 
Tum liquidas corvi presso ter gutture voces 410 

Aut quater ingeminant, et saepe cubilibus altis, 
Nescio qua praeter solitum dulcedine laeti, 
Inter se in foliis strepitant ; juvat imbribus actis 
Progeniem parvam dulcesque revisere nidos ; 
Hand equidem credo, quia sit divinitus illis 415 

Ingenium aut rerum fato prudontia major ; 
Verum, ubi tempestas et caeli mobilis Immor 



LIBER PRIMUS. 47 

Mutavere vias et Juppiter uvidus Austris 

Denset, erant quae rara modo, et, quae densa, relaxat, 

Vertuntur species animorum, et pectora motus 420 

Nunc alios, alios, dum nubila ventus agebat, 

Concipiunt : hinc ille avium concentus in agris, 

Et laetae pecudes, et ovantes gutture corvi. 

Si vero solem ad rapidum lunasque sequentes 
Ordine respicies, numquam te crastina fallet 425 

Hora, neque insidiis noctis capiere serenae. 
Luna, revertentes quum primum coUigit ignes, 
Si nigrum obscuro comprenderit aera cornu, 
Maximus agricolis pelagoque parabitur imber ; 
At si virgineum suffaderit ore ruborem, 430 

Ventus erit ; vento semper rubet aurea Phoebe. 
Sin ortu quarto — ^namque is certissimus auctor — 
Pura neque obtusis per caelum cornibus ibit, 
Totus et ille dies, et qui nascentur ab illo 
Exactum ad mensem, pluvia ventisque carebunt, 435 

Votaque servati solvent in litore nautae 
Glauco et Panopeae et Inoo Melicertae. 

Sol quoque et exoriens, et quum se condet in undas, 
Signa dabit ; solem certissima signa sequuntur, 
Et quae mane refert, et quae surgentibus astris. 440 

Ille ubi nascentem maculis variaverit ortum 
Conditus in nubem, medioque refugerit orbe, 
Suspecti tibi sint imbres ; namque urget ab alto 
Arboribusque satisque Notus pecorique sinister. 
Aut ubi sub lucem densa inter nubila sese 445 

Diversi rumpent radii, aut ubi pallida surget 
Tithoni croceum linquens Aurora cubile, 
Heu, male tum mites defendet pampinus uvas : 
Tam multa in tectis crepitans salit horrida grando. 
Hoc etiam, emenso quum jam decedit Olympo, 450 



"48 p. VERGILI MAR0XI3 GEORGICON 

Profuerit meminisse magis ; nam saepe videmus 

Ipsius in vultu varies errare colores : 

Caeruleus pluviam denuntiat, igneiis Euros ; 

Sin maculae incij)ient rutilo immiscerier igni, 

Omnia tum pariter vento nimbisque videbis 455 

Fervere. Non ilia quisquam me nocte per altum 

Ire, neque a terra moneat convellere funem. 

At si, quum referetque diem condetque relatum, 

Lucidus orbis erit, frustra terrebere nimbis, 

Et claro silvas cernes Aquilone moveri. 460 

Denique, quid vesper serus veliat, unde serenas 

Ventus agat nubes, quid cogitet liumidus Auster, 

Sol tibi signa dabit. Sol em quis dicere falsum 

Audeat ? Ille etiam caecos instare tumultus 

Saepe monet, fraudemque et operta tumescere bella. 465 

Ille etiam exstincto miseratus Caesare Romam, 

Quum caput obscura nitidum ferrugine texit, 

Impiaque aeternam timuerunt saecula noctem. 

Tempore quamquam illo tellus quoque et aequora ponti, 

Obscenaeque canes, importunaeque volucres 470 

Signa dabant. Quoties Cyclopum effervere in agros 

Vidimus undantem ruptis fornacibus Aetnam, 

Flammarumque globos liquefactaque volvere saxa ! 

Armorum sonitum toto Germania caelo 

Audiit ; insolitis tremuerunt motibus Alpes. 475 

Vox quoque per lucos vulgo exaudita silentes, 

Ingens, et simulacra modis pallentia miris 

Visa sub obscurum noctis ; pecudesque locutae, 

Infandum ! sistunt amnes, terraeque dehiscunt, 

Et maestum illacrimat templis ebur, aeraque sudant. 480 

Proluit insano contorquens vertice silvas 

Fluviorum rex Eridanus, camposque per omnes 

Cum stabulis armenta tulit. Nee tempore eodem 



LIBER PRIMUS. 49 

Tristibus aut extis fibrae apparere minaces, 

Aut puteis manare cruor cessavit, et altae 485 

Per noctem resonare lupis ululantibus urbes. 

Non alias caelo ceciderunt plura sereno 

Fulgura, nee diri toties arsere cometae. 

Ergo inter sese paribus conciurere telis 

Romanas acies iterum videre Philippi ; 490 

Nee fuit indignum superis, bis sanguine nostro 

Emathiam et latos Haemi pinguescere campos. 

Scilicet et tempus veniet, quum finibus illis 

Agricola, incurvo terrain niolitus aratro, 

Exesa inveniet scabra robigine pila, 495 

Aut gravibus rastris galeas pulsabit inanes, 

Grandiaque effossis mirabitur ossa sepulcris. 

Di patrii, Indigetes, et Romule Vestaque mater, 

Quae Tuscam Tiberim et Romana Palatia servas, 

Hunc saltern everso juvenem succurrere saeclo 500 

Ne proliibete ! Satis jam pridem sanguine nostro 

Laomedonteae luimus perjuria Trojae ; 

Jam pridem nobis caeli te regia, Caesar, 

Invidet, atque liominum queritur curare triumpbos ; 

Quippe ubi fas versum atque nefas : tot bella per 

orbem, 505 

Tarn multae scelerum facies ; non ullus aratro 
Dignus bonos ; squalent abductis arva colonis, 
Et curvae rigidum falces conflantur in ensem. 
Hinc movet Euphrates, illinc Germania bellum ; 
Vicinae ruptis inter se legibus urbes 510 

Arma ferunt ; saevit toto Mars impius orbe : 
Ut quum carceribus sese efFudere quadrigae, 
Addunt in spatia, et frustra retinacula tendens 
Fertur equis auriga, neque audit currus habenas. 

5 



p. VERGILI MARONIS 

GEORGICON 

LIBEK SECUNDUS. 



Hactenus arvorum cultus et sidera caeli, 

Nunc te, Bacche, canam, nee non silvestria tecum 

Virgulta et prolem tarde crescentis olivae. 

Hue, pater o Lenaee ; tuis hie omnia plena 

Muneribus, tibi pampineo gravidus auctumno 5 

Floret ager, spumat plenis vindemia labris ; 

Hue, pater o Lenaee, veni, nudataque musto 

Tinge novo mecum dereptis crura eotliurnis. 

Principio arboribus varia est natura creandis. 
Nam que aliae, nullis liomiimm cogentibus, ipsae 10 

Sponte sua veniunt eamposque et flumina late 
Curva tenent, ut molle siler, lentaeque genistae, 
Populus et glauca canentia fronde salieta ; 
Pars autem posito surgunt de semine, ut altae 
Castaneae, nemorumque Jovi quae maxima frondet 15 
Aeseulus, atque habitae Graiis oraeula quercus. 
Pullulat ab radiee aliis densissima silva, 
Ut eerasis ulmisque ; etiam Parnasia laurus 
Parva sub ingenti matris se subjicit umbra. 
Hos natura modos primum dedit ; his genus omne 20 
Silvarum frutieumque viret nemorumque sacrorum. 

Sunt alii, quos ipse via sibi reperit usus. 



LIBER SECUNDUS. 51 

Hie plantas tenero abscindens de corpore matrum 

Deposuit sulcfe ; liic stirpes obruit arvo, 

Quadrifidasque sudes,etacuto robore vallos ; 25 

Silvarumque aliae presses propaginis arcus 

Exspectant et viva sua plantaria terra ; 

Nil radicis egent aliae, summumque putator 

Hand dubitat terrae referens mandare cacumen. 

Quin et caudicibus sectis — mirabile dictu — 30 

Truditur e sicco radix oleagina ligno. 

Et saepe alterius ramos impune videmus 

Vertere in alterius, mutatamque insita mala 

Ferre pirum, et prunis lapidosa rubescere coma. 

Quare agite o, proprios generatim discite cultus, 35 
Agricolae, fructusque feros mollite colendo, 
Neu segnes jaceant terrae. Juvat Ismara Baeclio 
Conserere, atque olea magnum vestire Taburnum. 
Tuque ades, inceptumque una decurre laborem, 
O decus, famae merito pars maxima nostrae, 40 

Maecenas, pelagoque volans da vela patenti. 
Non ego cuncta meis amplecti versibus op to, 
Non, milii si linguae centum sint, oraque centum, 
Ferrea vox ; ades, et primi lege litoris oram ; 
In manibus terrae ; non hie te carmine fieto 45 

Atque per ambages et longa exorsa tenebo. 

Sponte sua quae se toliunt in luminis oras, 
Infeeunda quidem, sed laeta et fortia surgunt ; 
Quippe solo natura subest. Tamen liaec quoque, si quis 
Inserat, aut scrobibus mandet mutata subactis, 50 

Exuerint silvestrem animum, cultuque frequenti 
In quascumque voces artes baud tarda sequentur. 
Nee non et sterilis, quae stirpibus exit ab imis, 
Hoc faciet, vacuos si sit digesta per agros ; 
Nunc altae frondes et rami matris opacant, 55 



52 p. VERGILI MAROXIS GEORGICON 

Crescentique adimunt fetus, uruntqiTe ferentem. 

Jam, quae semlnibus jactis se sustulit arbos,' 

Tarda venit, seris factura nepotibus umbram, 

Pomaque degenerant sucos oblita priores, 

Et turpes a^dbus praedani fert uva racemos. 60 

Scilicet omnibus est labor impendendus, et omnes 
Cogendae in sulcum, ac multa mercede domandae. 
Sed truncis oleae melius, propagine vites 
Respondent, solido Paphiae de robore myrtus ; 
Plantis et durae corjli nascuntur, et ingens 65 

Fraxinus, Herculeaeque arbos umbrosa coronae, 
Chaoniique patris glandes ; etiam ardua palma 
Nascitur, et casus abies visura marinos. 
Inseritur vero et nucis arbutus horrida fetu, 
Et steriles platani malos gessere valentes ; 70 

Castaneae fagus, ornusque incanuit albo 
Flore piri, glandemque sues fregere sub ulmis. 

Nee modus inserere atque oculos imponere simplex. 
Nam, qua se medio trudunt de cortice gemmae 
Et tenues rumpunt tunicas, angustus in ipso 75 

Fit nodo sinus : hue aliena ex arbore germen 
Includunt, udoque docent inolescere libro. 
Aut rursum enodes trunci resecantur, et alte 
Finditur in solidum cuneis via, deinde feraces 
Plantae immittuntur : nee longum tempus, et ingens 80 
Exiit ad caelum ramis felicibus arbos, 
Miraturque novas frondes et non sua poma. 

Praeterea genus baud unum, nee fortibus ulmis, 
Nee salici lotoque, neque Idaeis cyparissis ; 
Nee pingues unam in faciem nascuntur olivae, 85 

Orchades, et radii, et amara pausia bacca, 
Pomaque et Alcinoi silvae ; nee surculus idem 
Crustumiis Syriisque piris gravibusque volemis. 



LIBER SECUNDUS. 63 

Non eadem arboribus pendet vindemia nostris, 

Quam Methymnaeo carpit de palmite Lesbos; 90 

Sunt Tliaslae vites, sunt et Mareotides albae, 

Pinguibus' bae terris babiles, levioribus illae ; 

Et passo Psythia utilior, tenuisque Lageos, 

Tentatura pedes olim vincturaque linguam ; 

Purpureae, preciaeque ; et quo te carmine dicam, 95 

Rhaetica ? nee cellis ideo contende Falernis. 

Sunt et Aminaeae vites, firmissima vina, 

Tmolius assurgit quibus et rex ipse Phanaeus ; 

Argitisque minor, cui non certaverit uUa 

Aut tantum fluere aut totidem durare per annos. 100 

Non ego te, dis et mensis accepta secundis, 

Transierim, Rhodia, et tumidis, Bumaste, racemis. 

Sed neque, quam multae species, nee, nomina quae sint, 

Est numerus ; neque enim numero comprendere refert ; 

Quem qui scire velit, Libyci velit aequoris idem 105 

Discere quam multae Zephyro turbentur arenae, 

Aut, ubi navigiis violentior incidit Eurus, 

Nosse, quot lonii veniant ad litora fluctus. 

Nee vero terrae ferre omnes omnia possunt. 
Fluminibus salices crassisque paludibus alni 110 

Nascuntur, steriles saxosis montibus orni ; 
Litora myrtetis laetissima ; denique apertos 
Bacchus amat colles, Aquilonem et frigora taxi. 
Aspice et extremis domitum cultoribus orbem, 
Eoasque domos Arabum pictosque Gelonos : 115 

Divisae arboribus patriae. Sola Lidia nigrum 
Fert ebenum, solis est turea virga Sabaeis. 
Quid tibi odorato referam sudantia ligno 
Balsamaque et baccas semper frondentis acanthi ? 
Quid nemora Aethiopum, molli canentia lana, 120 

Velleraque ut foliis depectant tenuia Seres ? 

5* 



5^ 



P, VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 



Aut quos Oceano propior gerit India lucos, 

Extremi sinus orbis, ubi aera vincere summnm 

Arboris baud ullae jactu potuere sagittae ? 

Et gens ilk quidem sumptis non tarda pbaretris. 125 

Media fert tristes sucos tardumque saporem 

Felicis mali, quo non praesentius ullum, 

Pocula si quando saevae infecere novercae, 

Miscueruntque berbas et non innoxia verba, 

Auxilium venit, ac membris agit atra venena. 130 

Ipsa ingens arbos faciemque simillima lauro ; 

Et, si non alium late jactaret odorem, 

Laurus erat ; folia baud ullis labentia ventis ; 

Flos ad prima tenax ; animas et olentia Medi 

Ora fovent illo et senibus medicantur anhelis. 135 

Sed neque Medorum, silvae ditissima, terra, 
Nee pulcher Ganges atque auro turbidus Hermus 
Laudibus Italiae certent, non Bactra, neque Indi, 
Totaque turiferis Pancliaia pinguis arenis. 
Haec loca non tauri spirantes naribus ignem 140 

Invertere satis immanis dentibus bydri, 
Nee galeis densisque virum seges horruit hastis ; 
Sed gravidae fruges et Baccbi Massicus liumor 
Iraplevere ; tenent oleae armentaque laeta. 
Hinc bellator equus campo sese arduus infert ; 145 

Hinc albi, Clitumne, greges et maxima taurus 
Victima, saepe tuo perfusi flumine sacro, 
Romanos ad templa deum duxere triumphos. 
Hie ver assiduum atque alienis mensibus aestas ; 
Bis gravidae pecudes, bis pomis utilis arbos. 150 

At rabidae tigres absunt et saeva leonum 
Semina, nee miseros fallunt aconita legentes, 
Nee rapit immensos orbes per humum, neque tan to 
Squaraeus in spiram tractu se colligit anguis. 



LIBER SECUNDUS. 55 \ 

! 

Adde tot egregias urbes operumque laborem, 155 

Tot congesta manu praeruptis oppida saxis, i 

Flumlnaque antiques subterlabentia muros. i 

An mare, quod supra, memorem, quodque alluit infra ? i 

Anne lacus tantos ? te, Lari maxime, teque, i 

Fluctibus et fremitu assurgens Benace marine ? 160 . j 

An memorem portus Lucrinoque addita claustra \ 

Atque indignatum magnis stridorlbus aequor, \ 

Julia qua ponto longe sonat unda refuso j 

Tyrrhenusque fretis immittitur aestus Avernis ? 

Haec eadem argenti rivos aerisque nfetalla 165 

Ostendit venis, atque auro plurlma fluxlt. 

Haec genus acre virum, Marsos, pubemque Sabellam, 

Assuetumque malo Ligurem, Volscosque verutos 

Extulit, haec Decios, Marios, magnosque Camillos, 

Scipiadas duros bello, et te, maxime Caesar, 170 j 

Qui nunc extremis Asiae jam victor in oris 

Imbellem avertis Romanis arcibus Indum. 

Salve, magna parens frugum, Saturnia tellus. 

Magna virum ; tibi res an ti quae laudis et artis ; 

Ingredior, sanctos ausus recludere fontes, 175 

Ascraeumque cano Romana per oppida carmen. 

Nunc locus arvorum ingeniis ; quae robora cuique, J 

Quis color, et quae sit rebus natura ferendis. i 

Difficiles primum terrae collesque maligni. 

Tenuis ubi argilla et dumosis calculus arvis, 180 J 

Palladia gaudent silva vivacis olivae. \ 

Indicio est tractu surgens oleaster eodem i 

Plurimus et strati baccis silvestribus agri. 
At quae pinguis humus dulcique uligine laeta, 
Quique frequens herbis et fertilis ubere campus — 185 ^ 

Qualem saepe cava montis convalle solemus ! 

Despicere ; hue summis liquuntur rupibus amnes, ^ 



56 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Felicemque traliunt limum — quique editus Austro, 

Et iilicem cur vis invisam pascit aratris : 

Hie tibi praevalidas olim multoque fluentes 190 

Sufficiet Baccho vites, hie fertilis iivae, 

Hie laticis, qualem pateris libamus et auro, 

Inflavit quum pinguis ebur Tyrrhenus ad aras 

Lancibus et pandis fumantia reddimus exta. 

Sin armenta magis studium vitulosque tueri, 195 

Aut fetus ovium, aut urentes culta capellas, 

Saltus et saturi petito longinqua Tarenti, 

Et qualem infelix arrfisit Mantua campum, 

Pascentem niveos lierboso flumine cycnos : 

Non liquidi gregibus fontes, non gramina deerunt, 200 

Et, quantum longis carpent armenta diebus, 

Exigua tantum gelidus ros nocte reponet. 

Nigra fere et presso pinguis sub vomere terra, 

Et cui putre solum, — namque hoc imitamur arando — 

Optima frumentis ; non ullo ex aequore cernes 205 

Plura domum tardis decedere plaustra juvencis ; 

Aut unde iratus silvam devexit arator 

Et nemora evertit multos ignava per annos, 

Antiquasque domos avium cum stirpibus imis 

Emit ; illae altum nidis petiere relictis ; 210 

At rudis enituit impulso vomere campus. 

Nam jejuna quidem clivosi glarea ruris 

Vix Immiles apibus casias roremque ministrat ; 

Et tofus scaber, et nigris exesa chelydris 

Greta negant alios aeque serpentibus agros 215 

Dulcem ferre cibum et curvas praebere latebras. 

Quae tenuem exhalat nebulam fumosque volucres, 

Et bibit humorem, et, quum vult, ex se ipsa remittit, 

Quaeque suo semper viridi se gramine vestit, 

Nee scabie et salsa laedit robigine ferrum, 220 



LIBEE, SECUNDUS. 57 

Ilia tibi laetis intexet vitibus ulmos, 

Ilia ferax oleo est, illam experiere colendo 

Et facilem pecori et patientem vomeris unci. 

Talem dives arat Capua et vicina Vesevo 

Ora jugo et vacuis Clanius non aequus Acerris. 225 

Nunc, quo quamque modo possis cognoscere, dicam. 
Rara sit an supra morem si densa requires, 
Altera frumentis quoniam favet, altera Bac^'lio, 
Densa magis Cereri, rarissima quaeque Lyaeo : 
Ante locum capies oculis, alteque jubebis 230 

In solido puteum demitti, omnemque repones 
Rursus liumum, et pedibus summas aequabis arenas. 
Si deerunt, rarum, pecorique et vitibus almis 
Aptius uber erit ; sin in sua posse negabunt 
Ire loca et scrobibus superabit terra repletis, 235 

Spissus ager ; glebas cunctantes crassaque terga 
Exspecta, et validis terram proscinde juvencis. 
Salsa autem tellus et quae perliibetur amara, 
Frugibus infelix, — ea nee mansuescit arando, 
Nee Baccho genus, aut pomis sua nomina servat — 240 
Tale dabit specimen : tu spisso vimine qualos, 
Colaque prelorum fumosis deripe tectis ; 
Hue ager ille malus dulcesque a fontibus undae 
Ad plenum calcentur ; aqua eluctabitur omnis 
Scilicet, et grandes ibunt per vimina guttae ; 245 

At sapor indicium faciet manifestus, et ora 
Tristia tentantum sensu torquebit amaror. 
Pinguis item quae sit tellus, hoc denique pacto 
Discimus : baud umquam manibus jactata fatiscit, 
Sed picis in morem ad digitos lentescit habendo. 250 

Humida majores lierbas alit, ipsaque justo 
Laetior. Ah nimium ne sit mihi fertilis ilia, 
Neu se praevalidam primis ostendat a.ristis ! 



68 ~ p. yERGILI MAHOXIS GEORGICON 

Quae gravis est, ipso tacitam se pondere prodit, 
Quaeque levis. Promptum est oculis praediscere 

nigram, 255 

Et quis cui color. At sceleratum exquirere frigus 
Difficile est : piceae tantum taxique nocentes 
Interdum aut hederae pandunt vestigia nigrae. 

His animadversis, terrain multo ante memento 
Excoquere effmagnos scrobibus concidere montes, 260 
Ante supinatas Aquiloni ostendere glebas, 
Quam laetum infodias vitis genus. Optima putri 
Arva solo : id venti curant gelidaeque pruinae 
Et labefacta movens robustus jugera fossor. 
At, si quos baud ulla viros vigilantia fugit, 265 

Ante locum similem exquirunt, ubi prima paretur 
Arboribus seges, et quo mox digesta feratur, 
Mutatam ignorent subito ne semina matrem. 
Quin etiam caeli regionem in cortice signant, 
Ut, quo quaeque modo steterit, qua parte calores 270 

Austrinos tulerit, quae terga obverterit axi, 
Restituant : adeo in teneris consuescere multum est. 
Collibus an piano melius sit ponere vitem, 
Quaere prius. Si pinguis agros metabere campi, 
Densa sere ; in denso non segnior ubere Bacchus ; 275 
Sin tumulis acclive solum collesque supinos, 
Indulge ordinibus, nee secius omnis in unguem 
Arboribus positis secto via limite quadret. 
Ut saepe ingenti bello quum longa coliortes 
Explicuit legio, et campo stetit agmen aperto, 280 

Directaeque acies, ac late fluctuat omnis 
Aere renidenti tellus, necdum horrida miscent 
Proelia, sed dubius mediis Mars errat in armis : 
Omnia sint paribus numeris dimensa viarum ; 
Non animum modo uti pascat prospectus inanem, 285 



I 



LIBER SECUNDUS. 



59 



Sed quia non aliter vires dabit omnibus aequas 
Terra, ueque in vacuum poterunt se extendere rami. 

Forsitan et scrobibus quae sint fastigia quaeras. 
Ausim vel tenui vitem committere sulco. 
Altior ac penitus terrae defigitur arbos, 290 

Aesculus in primis, quae, quantum vertice ad auras 
Aetlierias, tantum radice in Tartara tendit. 
Ergo non hiemes illam, non flabra, neque imbres 
Convellunt ; immota manet, multosque nepotes, 
Multa virum volvens durando saecula vincit. 295 

Tum fortes late ramos et brachia tendens 
Hue illuc, media ipsa ingentem sustinet umbram. 

Neve tibi ad solem vergant vineta cadentem ; 
Neve inter vites corylum sere ; neve flagella 
Summa pete, aut summa defringe ex arbore plantas ; 300 
Tantus amor terrae ; neu ferro laede retuso 
Semina ; neveoleae silvestres insere truncos : 
Nam saepe incautis pastoribus excidit ignis, 
Qui, furtim pingui primum sub cortice tectus, 
llobora comprendit, frondesque elapsus in altas 305 

Ingentem caelo sonitum dedit ; inde secutus 
Per ramos victor perque alta cacumina regnat, 
Et totum involvit flammis nemus, et ruit atram 
Ad caelum picea crassus caligine nubem, 
Praesertim si tempestas a vertice silvis 310 

Incubuit, glomeratque ferens incendia ventus. 
Hoc ubi, non a stirpe valent caesaeque reverti 
Possunt atque ima similes revirescere terra ; 
Infelix superat foliis oleaster amaris. 

Nee tibi tam prudens quisquam persuadeat auctor 315 
Tellurem Borea rigidam spirante movere. 
Rura gelu tum claudit hiems ; nee semine jacto 
Concretam patitur radicem affigere terrae. 



60 p. VERGILI MAROXIS GEORGICON 

Optima viiietis satio, qnum vere rubenti 
Candida venit avis longis invisa colubris, 320 

Prima vel auctumni sub frigora, quum rapidus Sol 
Nondum biemem contingit equis, jam praeterit aestas. 
Ver adeo frondi nemormn, ver utile silvis, 
Vere tument terrae et genitalia semina poscmit. 
Tum pater omnipotens fecundis imbribus Aetlier 825 

Conjugis in gremium laetae descendit, et omnes 
Magnus alit, magno commixtus corpore, fetus. 
Avia tum resonant avibus virgulta canoris, 
Et Yenerem certis repetunt armenta diebus ; 
Parturit almus ager, Zepbyrique tepentibus auris 330 
Laxant arva sinus ; superat tener omnibus humor ; 
Inque novos soles audent se germina tuto 
Credere ; nee metuit surgentes pampinus Austros 
Aut actum caelo magnis Aquilonibus imbrem, 
Sed trudit gemmas et frondes explicat omnes. 335 

Non alios prima crescentis origine mundi 
Illuxisse dies aliumve habuisse tenorem 
Crediderim : ver illud erat, ver mao-nus ao-ebat 
Orbis, et bibernis parcebant flatibus Euri : 
Quum primae lucem pecudes liausere, virumque 340 

Ferrea progenies duris caput extulit arvis, 
Immissaeque ferae silvis et sidera caelo. 
Nee res bunc tenerae possent perferre laborem, 
Si non tanta quies iret frigusque caloremque 
Inter, et exciperet caeli indulgentia terras. 345 

Quod superest, quaecumque pr ernes virgulta per agros, 
Sparge fimo pingui, et multa memor occule terra, 
Aut lapidem bibulum, aut squalentes infode conchas, 
Inter enim labentur aquae, tenuisque subibit 
Halitus, atque animos tollent sata ; jamque reperti, 350 
Qui saxo super atque ingentis pondere testae 



LIBER SECUNDUS. 61 

Urgerent ; hoc effiisos munimen ad imbres, 
Hoc, ubi hiulca siti findit caiiis aestifer arva. 

Seminibus positis, superest diducere terram 
Saepius ad capita, et duros jactare bidentes, 355 

Aut presso exercere solum sub vomere, et ipsa 
Flectere luctantes inter vineta juvencos ; 
Turn leves calamos et rasae hastilia virgae 
Fraxineasque aptaresudes, fur casque valentes, 
Viribus eniti quarum et contemnere ventos 360 

Assuescant, summasque sequi tabulata per ulmos. 

Ac dum prima novis adolescit frondibus aetas, 
Parcendum teneris, et, dum se laetus ad auras 
Palmes agit laxis per purum immissus habenis, 
Ipsa acie nondum falcis tentanda, sed uncis 365 

Carpendae manibusfrondes,interque legendae. 
Inde ubi jam validis amplexae stirpibus ulmos 
Exierint, tum stringe comas, tum brachia tonde ; 
Ante reformidant ferrum ; tum denique dura 
Exerce imperia, et ramos compesce fluentes. 370 

Texendae sepes etiam et pecus omne tenendum, 
Praecipue dum frons tenera imprudensque laborum ; 
Cui super indignas liiemes solemque potentem 
Silvestres uri assidue capraeque sequaces 
Illudunt, pascuntur oves avidaeque juvencae. 375 

Frigora nee tantum cana concreta pruina, 
Aut gravis incumbens scopulis arentibus aestas, 
Quantum illi nocueregreges,durique venenum 
Dentis et admorso signata in stirpe cicatrix. 
Non aliam ob culpam Bacclio caper omnibus aris 380 
Caeditur et veteres ineunt proscenia ludi, 
Praemiaque ingeniis pagos et compita circum 
Thesidae posuere, atque inter pocula laeti 
Mollibus in pratis unctos saluere per utres. 



62 p. VERGILI MAKONIS GEORGICON 

Nec non Ausonii, Troja gens missa, coloni 385 

Versibus .incomptis ludnnt risuque soluto, 

Oraque corticibus sumunt horrencla cavatis, 

Et te, Bacclie, vocant per carmina laeta, tibique 

Oscilla ex alta suspendunt mollla pinu. 

Hinc omnls largo pubescit vinea fetu, 390 

Complentur vallesque ca^^ae saltusque profiindi, 

Et quocumque deus circnm caput egit lionestum. 

Ergo rite suum Bacclio dicemus honorera 

Canninibus patriis lancesqiie et liba feremus, 

Et ductus cornu stabit sacer liircus ad aram, 395 

Pinguiaque in veribus torrebimus exta colurnis. 

Est etiam ille labor curandis vitibus alter, 
Cui numquam exhausti satis est : namque omne quot 

annis 
Terque quaterque solum scindendum, glebaque versis 
Aeternum frangenda bidentibus ; omne levandum 400 
Fronde nemus. Redit agricolis labor actus in orbem, 
Atque in se sua per vestigia volvitur annus. 
Ac jam olim seras posuit quum vinea frondes 
Frigidus et sihds Aquilo decussit honorem, 
Jam tum acer curas venientem extendit in annum 405 
Rusticus, et curvo Saturni dente relictam 
Persequitur vitem attondens fingitque putando. 
Primus humum fodito, primus devecta cremate 
Sarmcnta, et vallos primus sub tecta referto ; 
Postremus metito. Bis \dtibus ingruit umbra ; 410 

Bis segetem densis obducunt sentibus herbae ; 
Durus uterque labor : laudato ingentia rura, 
Exiguum colito. Nee non etiam aspera rusci 
Vimina per silvam, et ripis fluvialis arundo 
Caeditur, incultique exercet cura salicti. 415 

Jam vinctae vites, jam falcem arbusta reponunt, 



LIBER SECUNDUS. 63 

Jam canit efFectos extremes vinitor antes : 
Sollicitanda tamen tellus, pulvisque movendus, 
Et jam maturis metuendus Juppiter uvis. 

Contra non ulla est oleis cultura ; neque illae 420 

Procurvam exspectant falcem rastrosque tenaces, 
Quum semel haeserunt arvis aurasque tulerunt ; 
Ipsa satis tellus, qunm dente recluditur unco, 
Sufficit humorem et gravidas cum vomere fruges. 
Hoc pinguem et placitam Paci nutritor olivam. 425 

Poma quoque, ut primum truncos sensere valentes 
Et vires habuere suas, ad sidera raptim 
Vi propria nituntiir opisque hand indiga nostrae. 
Nee minus interea fetu nemus omne gravescit, 
Sanguineisque inculta rubent aviaria baccis. 430 

Tondentur cytisi, taedas silva alta ministrat, 
Pascunturque ignes nocturni et lumina fundunt. 
Et dubitant homines serere atque impendere curam ? 
Quid majora sequar ? salices liumilesque genestae, 
Aut illae pecori frondem aut pastoribus umbras 435 

Sufficiunt, sepemque satis et pabula melli. 
Et juvat undantem buxo spectare Cjtorum 
Naryciaeque picis lucos, juvat arva videre 
Non rastris, hominum non ulli obnoxia curae. 
Ipsae Caucasio steriles in vertice silvae, 440 

Quas animosi Euri assidue franguntque feruntque, 
Dant alios aliae fetus, dant utile lignum 
Navigiis pinos, domibus cedrumque cupressosque ; 
Hinc radios trivere rotis, nine tympana plaustris 
Agricolae, et pandas ratibus posuere carinas ; 445 

Viminibus salices fecundae, frondibus ulmi. 
At myrtus validis hastilibus et bona bello 
Cornus ; Ituraeos taxi torquentur in arcus ; 
Nee tiliae leves' aut torno rasile buxum 



Gl p. YERGILI MAROXIS GEOE.GICON 

Non formam accipimit ferroqne cavantur acuto ; 450 

Nee non et torrentem undam levis innatat alnus, 
Missa Pado ; nee non et apes exaniina eondunt 
Corticibusque cavis vitiosaeque ilieis alveo. 
Quid memorandum aequo Baccheia dona tulerunt ? 
Baeehus et ad eulpam causas dedit ; ille furentes 455 

Ceiitauros leto domuit, Rhoetumque Pliolumque 
Et magno Hylaeum Lapithis eratere minantem. 

O fortunatos nimium, sua si bona norint, 
Agricolas, quibus ipsa, procul discordibus armis, 
Fundit bumo facilem vietum justissima tellus ! 460 

Si non ingentem foribus domus alta superbis 
Mane salutantum totis vomit aedibus undam, 
Nee varios inhiant pulehra testudine postes 
lUusasque am'o vestes, Epbyreiaque aera, 
Alba neque Assyrio iueatur lana veneno, 465 

Nee casia liquidi eorrumpitur usus olivi : 
At seeura quies et nescia fallere vita, • 

Dives opum variarum, at latis otia fundis, 
Speluneae,vivique laeus, at frigida Tempe, 
Mugitusque bourn, moUesque sub arbore somni 470 

Non absunt ; illie saltus ae lustra ferarum, 
Et patiens operum exiguoque assueta juventus, 
Sacra deum, sanctique patres ; extrema per illos 
Justitia excedens terris vestigia fecit. 

Me vero primum dulces ante omnia Musae, 475 

Quarum sacra fero ingenti percussus amore, 
Accipiant, caelique vias et sidera monstrent, 
Defectus solis varios, lunaeque labores ; 
Unde tremor terris, qua vi maria alta tumeseant 
Objicibus ruptis rursusque in se ipsa residant, 480 

Quid tantum Oceano properent se tingere soles 
Hiberni, vel quae tardis mora noctibus obstet. 



LIBER SECUNDUS. 65 « 

Sin, lias ne possim naturae accedere partes, 

Frigldus abstiterit circum praecordia sanguis : 

Rura milii et rigui placeant in vallibus amnes ; 485 

Flumina amem silvasque inglorius. O, ubi campi 

Sperclieosque, et virginibus bacchata Lacaenis 

Taygeta ! o, qui me gelidis in vallibus Haemi 

Sistat, et ingenti ramorum protegat umbra ! 

Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, 490 

Atque metus omnes et inexorabile fatum 

Subjecit pedibus strepitumque Acherontis avari ! 

Fortunatus et ille, deos qui novit agrestes, 

Panaque Silvanumque senem Nympbasque sorores ! 

Ilium non populi fasces, non purpura regum 495 

Flexit et infidos agitans discordia fratres, 

Aut conjurato descendens Dacus ab Histro, 

Non res Romanae perituraque regna ; neque ille 

Aut doluit miserans inopem, aut invidit habenti. 

Quos rami fructus, quos ipsa volentia rura 500 

Sponte tulere sua, carpsit ; nee ferrea jura 

Insanumque forum aut populi tabularia vidit. 

SoUicitant alii remis freta caeca, ruuntque 

In ferrum, penetrant aulas et limina regum ; 

Hie petit excidiis urbem miserosque Penates, 505 

Ut gemma bibat et Sarrano dormiat ostro ; 

Condit opes alius, defossoque incubat auro ; 

Hie stupet attonitus Rostris ; hunc plausus hiantem 

Per cuneos gcminatus enim plebisque Patrumque 

Corripuit ; gaudent perfusi sanguine fratrum, 510 

Exsilioque domos et dulcia limina mutant, 

Atque alio patriam quaerunt sub sole jacentem. 

Agricola incurvo terram dimovit aratro : 

Hinc anni labor, liinc patriam parvosque nepotes 

Sustinet, hinc armenta boum meritosque juvencos. 515 

6* 



66 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Nec requies, quin aut pomis exnberet annus, 

Aut fetu pecorum, aut Cerealis mergite culmi, 

Proventuque oneret sulcos atque horrea vincat. 

Yenit liiems : teritur Sicyonia bacca trapetis, 

Glande sues laeti redeunt, dant arbuta silvae ; 520 

Et varios ponit fetus auctumnus, et alte 

Mitis in apricis coquitur vindemia saxis. 

Interea dulces pendent circum oscula nati, 

Casta pudicitiam servat domus, ubera vaccae 

Lactea demittunt, pinguesque in gramine laeto 525 

Inter se adversis luctantur cornibus haedi. 

Ipse dies agitat festos, fususque per lierbam, 

Ignis ubi in medio et socii cratera coronant, 

Te, libans, Lenaee, vocat, pecorisque luagistris 

Velocis jaculi certamina ponit in ulmo, 530 

Corporaque agresti nudant praedura palaestrae. 

Hanc olim veteres vitam coluere Sabini, 

Hanc Remus et frater, sic fortis Etruria crevit 

Scilicet et rerum facta est pulcherrima Roma, 

Septemque una sibi muro circumdedit arces. 535 

Ante etiam sceptrum Dictaei regis, et ante 

Impia quam caesis gens est epulata juvencis, 

Aureus hanc vitam in terris Saturnus agebat: 

Necdum etiam audierant inflari classica, necdum 

Impositos duris crepitare incudibus enses. 540 

Sed nos immensum spatiis confecimus aequor, 
Et jam tempus equum fumantia solvere colla. 



p. VERGILI MARONIS 

GEORGICON 

LIBER TERTIUS. 



Te quoque, magna Pales, et te memorande canemus 

Pastor ab Amphryso, vos, silvae amnesque Lycaei. 

Cetera, quae vacuas tenuissent carmine mentes. 

Omnia jam vulgata : quis aut Eurysthea durum, 

Aut illaudati nescit Busiridis aras ? 5 

Cui non dictus Hylas puer et Latonia Delos, 

Hippodameque, humeroque Pelops insignis eburno, 

Acer equis ? Tentanda via est, qua me quoque possim 

Tollere humo victorque virum volitare per ora. 

Primus ego in patriam mecum, modo vita supersit, 10 

Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas ; 

Primus Idumaeas referam tibi, Mantua, palmas ; 

Et viridi in campo templum de marmore ponam 

Propter aquam, tardis ingens ubi flexibus errat 

Mincius et tenera praetexit arundine ripas. 15 

In medio milii Caesar erit, templumque tenebit. 

Illi victor ego et Tyrio conspectus in ostro 

Centum quadrijugos agitabo ad flumina currus. 

Cuncta mihi, Alpheum linquens lucosque Molorchi, 

Cursibus et crudo decernet Graecia caestu ; 20 

Ipse, caput tonsae foliis ornatus olivae. 

Dona feram. Jam nunc soUemnes ducere pompas 



bo p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Ad dekibra juvat caesosque videre juvencos ; 

Vel scena nt versis discedat frontibus, utque 

Purpurea intexti tollant aulaea Britanni. 25 

In foribus pugnam ex auro solidoque elephanto 

Gangaridum faciam victorisque arma Quirini, 

Atque liic undantem bello magnumque fluentem 

Nilum ac navali surgentes aere columnas. 

Addam urbes Asiae domitas pulsumque Niphaten 30 

Fidentemque fuga Partlium versisque sagittis, 

Et duo rapta manu diverse ex hoste tropaea 

Bisque triumpliatas utroque ab litore gentes. 

Stabunt et Parii lapides, spirantia signa, 

Assaraci proles demissaeque ab Jove gentis 35 

Nomina, Trosque parens, etTrojae Cyntbius auctor. 

Invidia infelix Furias amnemque severum 

Cocyti metuet tortosque Ixionis angues 

Immanemque rotam et non exsuperabile saxum. 

Interea Dryadum silvas saltusque sequamur 40 

Intactos, tua, Maecenas, baud moUia jussa. 

Te sine nil altum mens incboat : en age, segnes 

Pumpe moras ; vocat ingenti clamore Cithaeron 

Taygetique canes domitrixque Epidaurus equorum, 

Et vox assensu nemorum ingeminata remugit. 45 

Mox tamen ardentes accingar dicere pugnas 

Caesaris, et nomen fama tot ferre per annos, 

Titboni prima quot abest ab origine Caesar. 

Sen quis, Olympiacae miratus praemia palmae, 
Pascit equos, sen quis fortes ad aratra juvencos, 50 

Corpora praecipue matiiim legat. Optima torvae 
Forma bo vis, cui turpe caput, cui plurima cervix, 
Et crurum tenus a mento ])alcaria pendent ; 
Turn longo nullus lateri modus ; omnia magna, 
Pes etiam ; et camuris liirtae sub cornibus aures. 5tj 



LIBER TERTIUS. 69 

Nec mihi displiceat maculis insignis et albo, 

Aut juga detrectans, interdumque aspera cornu, 

Et faciem tauro propior, quaeque ardua tota, 

Et gradiens ima verrit vestigia cauda. 

Aetas Lucinam justosque pati hymenaeos 60 

Desinit ante decern, post quattuor incipit annos ; 

Cetera iiec feturae liabilis, nee fortis aratris. 

Interea, superat gregibus dum laeta juventas, 

Solve mares ; mitte in Venerem pecuaria primus, 

Atque aliam ex alia generando suffice prolem. 65 

Optima quaeque dies miseris mortalibus aevi 

Prima fugit ; subeunt morbi tristisque senectus, 

Et labor et durae rapit inclementia mortis. 

Semper erunt, quarum mutari corpora malis : 

Semper enim refice, ac, ne post amissa requiras, 70 

Anteveni, et subolem armento sortire quot annis. 

Nee non et pecori est idem delectus equine. 
Tu modo, quos in spem statues submittere gentis, 
Praecipuum jam inde a teneris impende laborem. 
Continuo pecoris generosi pullus in arvis 75 

Altius ingreditur, et mollia crura reponit ; 
Primus et ire viam et fluvios tentare minaces 
Audet et ignoto sese committere ponti, 
Nee vanos horret strepitus. Illi ardua cervix, 
Argatumque caput, brevis alvus, obesaque terga, 80 

Luxuriatque toris animosum pectus. Honesti 
Spadices glaucique, color deterrimus albis 
Et gilvo. Tum, si qua sonum procul arma dedere. 
Stare loco nescit, micat auribus et tremit artus, 
Collectumque fremens volvit sub naribus ignem. 85 

Densa juba, et dextro jactata recumbit in armo ; 
At duplex agitur per lumbos spina ; cavatque 
Tellurem et solido o-raviter sonat unsfula cornu. 



70 p. VERGILl MARONIS GEORGICON 

Talis Amyclaei clomitus Pollucis liabenis 

CyllaiTis, et, quorum Graii meminere poetae, 90 

Martis equi bijuges, et niagni currus Achilli. 

Talis et ipse jubam cervice efFudit equina 

Conjugis adventu pernix Saturnus, et altum 

Pelion hinuitu fugiens implevit acuto. 

Hunc quoque, ubi aut niorbo gravis aut jam segnior 
annis 95 

Deficit, abde domo, nee turpi ignosce senectae : 
Frigidus in Venerem senior, frustraque laborem 
Ingratum trahit ; et, si quando ad proelia ventum est, 
Ut quondam in stipulis magnus sine viribus ignis, 
Incassum furit. Ergo animos aevumque notabis 100 

Praecipue ; liinc alias artes, prolemque parentum, 
Et quis cuique dolor victo, quae gloria palmae. 
Nonne vides, quum praecipiti certamine campum 
Corripuere ruuntque efFusi career e currus, 
Quum spes arrectae juvenum, exsultantiaque liaurit 105 
Corda pavor pulsans ? Illi instant verbere torto 
Et proni dant lora ; volat vi fervidas axis ; 
Jam que liumiles, jamque elati sublime videntur 
Aera per vacuum ferri, atque assurgere in auras ; 
Nee mora, nee requies ; at fulvae nimbus arenae 110 

Tollitur ; bumescunt spumis flatuque sequentum : 
Tantus amor laudum, tantae est victoria curae. 
Primus Ericlitlionius currus et quattuor ausus 
Jungere equos, rapidusque rotis insistere victor. 
Frena Pelethronii Lapitliae gyrosque dedere 115 

Impositi dorso, atque equitem docuere snb armis 
Insultaresolo,et gressus glomerare superbos. 
Aequiis uterque labor ; aeque juvenemque magistri 
Exquirunt calidumque animis et cursibus acrem, 
Quamvis saepe fuga versos ille egerit liostes, 120 



LIBER TERTIUS. 71 

Et patrlam Epirum referat, fortesque Mycenas, 
Neptunique ipsa deducat orlgine gentem. 

His 'animadversis instant sub tempus, et omnes 
Impendunt curas denso distendere pingui, 
Quern legere ducem et pecori dixere maritum ; 125 

Florentesque secant herbas, fluviosque ministrant 
Farraque, ne blando nequeat superesse labori, 
Invalidique patrum referant jejunia nati. 
Ipsa autem macie tenuant armenta volentes, 
Atque, ubi concubitus primes jam nota voluptas 130 

Sollicitat, frondesque negant et fontibus arcent. 
Saepe etiam cursu quatiunt et sole fatigant, 
Quum graviter tun sis gemit area frugibus, et quum 
Surgentem ad Zephyrum paleae jactantur inanes. 
Hoc faciunt, nimio ne luxu obtLisior usus 135 

Sit genitali arvo et sulcos oblimet inertes, 
Sed rapiat sitiens Venerem interiusque recondat. 

Rursus cur a patrum cadere, et succedere matrum 
Incipit. Exactis gravidae quum mensibus errant, 
Non illas graribus quisquam juga ducere plaustris, 140 
Non saltu superare viam sit passus et acri 
Carpere prata fuga fluviosque innare rapaces. 
Saltibus in vacuis pascunt et plena secundum 
Flumina, muscus ubi et viridissima gramine ripa, 
Speluncaeque tegant, et saxea procubet umbra. 145 

Est lucos Silari circa ilicibusque virentem 
Plurimus Alburnum volitans, cui nomen asilo 
Romanum est, oestrum Graii vertere vocantes, 
Asper, acerba sonans, quo tota exterrita silvis 
DifFugiunt armenta ; furit mugitibus aether 150 

Concussus silvaeque et sicci ripa Tanagri. 
Hoc quondam monstro liorribiles exercuit iras 
Inacliiae Juno pestem meditata juvencae. 



72 p. VEKGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Hunc quoque, nam medlis fervoribus acrior instat, 
Arcebis gravido pecori, armentaque pasces 155 

Sole recens orto aut noctem ducentibus astris. 

Post partnm cura in vitulos traducitur omnis ; 
Continuoque notas et nomina gentis inurunt, 
Et quos aut pecori malint submittere habendo, 
Aut aris servare sacros, aut scindere terram 160 

Et campum horrentem fractis invertere glebis. 
Cetera pascuntur virides armenta per herbas. 
Tu quos ad studium atque usum formabis agrestem, 
Jam vitulos hortare, viamque insiste domandi, 
Dum faciles animi juvenum, dum mobilis aetas. 165 

Ac primum laxos tenui de vimine circlos 
Cervici subnecte ; dehinc, ubi libera colla 
Servitio assuerint, ipsis e torquibus aptos 
Junge pares, et coge gradum conferre juvencos ; 
Atque illis jam saepe rotae ducantur inanes 170 

Per terram, et summo vestigia pulvere signent ; 
Post valido nitens sub pondere faginus axis 
Instrepat, et junctos temo traliat aereus orbes. 
Interea pubi indomitae non gramina tantum. 
Nee vescas salicum frondes ulvamque palustrem, 175 

Sed frumenta manu carpes sata ; nee tibi fetae, 
More patrum, nivea implebunt mulctraria vaccae, 
Sed tota in dulces consument ubera natos. 

Sin ad bella magis studium turmasque feroces, 
Aut Alphea rotis praelabi flumina Pisae, 180 

Et Jo vis in luco currus agitare volantes : 
Primus equi labor est, animos atque arma videre 
Bellantum, lituosque pati, tractuque gementem 
Ferre rotam, et stabulo frenos audire sonantes ; 
Tum magis atque magis blandis gandere magistri 185 
Laudibus et plausae sonitum cervicis amare. 



LIBEE TERTIUS. 73 

Atque liaec jam priino depulsus ab ubere matris 

Audeat, inque viceni det mollibus ora capistris 

Invalidus etiamque tremens, etiam inscius aevi. 

At tribns.exactis ubi quarta accesserit aestas, 190 

Carpere mox gyrum incipiat gradibusque sonare 

Compositis, sinuetque alterna volumina crurum, 

Sitque laboranti similis ; tum cursibus auras, 

Tum vocet, ac per aperta volans, ceu liber habenis, 

Aequora vix summa vestigia ponat arena ; 195 

Qualis Hyperboreis Aquilo quum densus ab oris 

Incubuit, Scythiaeque hiemes atque arida difFert 

Nubila ; tum segetes altae campique natantes 

Lenibus horrescunt flabris, summaeque sonorem 

Dant silvae, longique urgent ad litora fluctus ; 200 

Ille volat, simul arva fuga, simul aequora verrens. 

Hie vel ad Elei metas et maxima campi 

Sudabit spatia, et spumas aget ore cruentas, 

Belgica vel molli melius feret esseda collo. 

Tum demum crassa magnum farragine corpus 205 

Crescere jam domitis sinito ; namque ante domandum 

Ingentes toUent animos, prensique negabunt 

Verbera lenta pati et duris parere lupatis. 

Sed non uUa magis vires industria firmat, 
Quam Venerem et caeci stimulos avertere amoris, 210 
Sive boum sive est cui gratior usus equorum. 
Atque ideo tauros procul atque in sola relegant 
Pascua, post montem oppositum, et trans flumina lata ; 
Aut iiitus clausos satura ad praesepia servant. 
Carpit enim vires paulatim uritque videndo 215 

Femina, nee nemorum patitur meminisse, nee herbae. 
Dulcibus ilia quidem illecebris et saepe superbos 
Cornibus inter se subigit decernere amantes. 
Pascitur in magna Sila formosa juvenca ; 



74 p. VEIIGILI MAROJyiS GEORGICON 

lUi alternantes multa vi proelia miscent 220 

Vulneribus crebris ; lavit ater corpora sanguis, 

Versaque in obnixos urgentur cornua vasto 

Cum gemitu ; reboant silvaeque et longus Olympus. 

Nep mos bellantes una stabulare ; sed alter 

Victus abit, longeque ignotis exsulat oris, 225 

Multa gemens ignominiam plagasque superbi 

Victoris, tum, quos amisit inultus, amores ; 

Et stabula aspectans regnis excessit avitis. 

Ergo omni cura vires exercet, et inter 

Dura jacetpernox instrato saxa cubili, 230 

Frondibus liirsutis et carice pastus acuta, 

Et tentat sese, atque irasci in cornua discit, 

Arboris obnixus trunco, ventosque lacessit 

Ictibus, et sparsa ad pugnam proludit arena. 

Post, ubi collectum robur viresque refectae, 235 

Signa movet, praecepsque oblitum fertur in liostem : 

Fluctus uti medio coepit quum albescere ponto 

Longius, ex al toque sinum traliit ; utque volutus 

Ad terras immane sonat per saxa, neque ipso 

Monte minor procumbit ; at ima exaestuat unda 240 

Verticibus, nigramque alte subjectat arenam. 

Omne adeo genus in terris hominumque ferarumque, 
Et genus aequoreum, pecudes, pictaeque volucres, 
In furias ignemque ruunt. Amor omnibus idem. 
Tempore non alio catulorum oblita leaena 245 

Saevior erravit campis, nee funera vulgo 
Tarn multa informes ursi stragemque dedere 
Per silvas ; tum saevus aper, tum pessima tigris ; 
Heu, male tum Libyae solis erratur in agris. 
Nonne vides, ut tota tremor pertentct equorum 250 

Corpora, si tantum notas odor attulit auras ? 
Ac neque eos jam frena virum, neque verbera saeva, 



LIBER TERTIUS. 75 

Non scopuli rupesque cavae atque objecta retardant 

Flumina, correptos unda torquentia monies. 

Ipse ruit dentesque Sabellicus exacuit sus, 255 

Et pede prosubigit terram, fricat arbore costas, 

Atque hinc atque illinc Immeros ad vulnera durat. 

Quid juvenis, niagnum cui versat in ossibus ignem 

Durus amor ? Nempe abruptis turbata procellis 

Nocte natat saeca serus freta ; quem super ingens 260 

Porta tonat caeli, et scopulis illisa reclamant 

Aequora ; nee miseri possunt revocare parentes, 

Nee moritura super crudeli funere virgo. 

Quid lynces Bacchi variae et genus acre luporum 

Atque canum ? quid, quae imbelles dant proelia cervi? 265 

Scilicet ante omnes furor est insignis equarum ; 

Et mentem Venus ipsa dedit, quo tempore Glauci 

Potniades malis membra absumpsere quadrigae. 

Illas ducit amor trans Gargara transque sonantem 

Ascanium ; superant montes et flumina tranant. 270 

Continuoque avidis ubi subdita flanima medullis : — 

Vere magis, quia vere calor redit ossibus — illae 

Ore omnes versae in Zeplijrum stant rupibus altis, 

Exceptantque leves auras, et saepe sine ullis 

Conjugiis vento gravidae — mirabile dictu — 275 

Saxa per et scopulos et depressas convalles 

DifFiigiunt, non, Eure, tuos, neque Solis ad ortus, 

In Borean Caurumque, aut unde nigerrimus Auster 

Nascitur et pluvio contristat frigore caelum. 

Hie demum, iiippomanes vero quod nomine dicunt 280 

Pastores, lentum destillat ab inguine virus ; 

Hippomanes, quod saepe malae legere novercae, 

Miscuerimtque herbas et non innoxia verba. 

Sed fugit interea, fugit irreparabile tempus, 
Singula dum capti circumvectamur amore. 285 



<b p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Hoc satis armentis : superat pars altera curae, 
Lanigeros agitare greges liirtasque capellas. 
Hie labor ; liinc laudem fortes sperate coloni. 
Nee sum animi dubius, verbis ea vineere niagnum 
Quam sit, et angustis hune addere rebus honorem ; 290 
Sed me Parnasi deserta per ardua dulcis 
Raptat amor ; juvat ire jugis, qua nulla priorum 
Castaliam molli devertitur orbita elivo. 

Nune, veneranda Pales, magno nunc ore sonandum. 
Ineipiens stabulis edico in mollibus lierbam 295 

Carpere oves, dum mox frondosa reducitur aestas, 
Et multa duram stipula filicumque maniplis 
Sternere subter humum, glacies ne frigida laedat 
MoUe peeus, seabiemque ferat turpesque podagras. 
Post bine digressus jubeo frondentia capris 300 

Arbuta suffieere et fluvios praebere recentes, 
Et stabula a ventis Mberno opponere soli 
Ad medium conversa diem, quum frigidus olim 
Jam eadit extremoque irrorat Aquarius anno. 
Hae quoque non cura nobis leviore tuendae, 305 

Nee minor usus erit, quamvis Milesia magno 
Vellera mntentur Tyrios incocta rubores : 
Densior hinc soboles, liinc largi copia lactis ; 
Quam magis exhausto spumaverit ubere mulctra, 
Laeta magis pressis manabunt flumina mammis. 310 

Nee minus interea barbas incanaque menta 
Cinyphii tondent liirci setasque comantes 
Usum in castrorum et miseris velamina nautis. 
Pascuntur vero silvas et summa Lycaei, 
Horrcntesque rubos et amantes ardua dumos ; 315 

Atque ipsae memores redeunt in tecta, suosque 
Ducunt, et gravido superant vix ubere limen. 
Ergo omni studio glaciem ventosque nivales, 



LIBEE, TERTIUS. 77 

Quo minor est illis curae mortalis egestas, 

Avertes, victumque feres et ^drgea laetus 320 

Pabula, nee tota claudes fenilia bruma. 

At vero Zephyris quum laeta vocantibus aestas 
In saltus utrumque gregem atque in pascua mittet, 
Luciferi primo cum sidere frigida rura 
Carpamus, dum mane novum, dum gramina canent, 325 
Et ros in tenera pecori gratissimus herba. 
Inde, ubi quarta sitim caeli collegerit hora 
Et cantu querulae rumpent arbusta cicadae, 
Ad puteos aut alta greges ad stagna jubeto 
Currentem ilignis potare canalibus undam ; 330 

Aestibus at mediis umbrosam exquirere vallem, 
Sicubi magna Jovis antiquo robore quercus 
Ingentes tendat ramos, aut sicubi nigrum 
Ilicibus crebris sacra nemus accubet umbra ; 
Tum tenues dare rursus aquas, et pascere rursus 335 

Solis ad occasum, quum frigidus aera vesper 
Temperat, et saltus reficit jam roscida luna, 
Litoraque alcyonen resonant, acalanthida dumi. 

Quid tibi pastores Libyae, quid pascua versu 
Prosequar, et raris habitata mapalia tectis ? 340 

Saepe diem noctemque et totum ex ordine mensem ^ 

Pascitur itque pecus longa in deserta sine ullis 
Hospitiis : tantum campi jacet. Omnia secum 
Armentarius Afer agit, tectumque Laremque 
Armaque Amyclaeumque canem Cressamque phare- 

tram ; 345 

Non secus ac patriis acer Romanus in armis 
Injusto sub fasce viam quum carpit, et hosti 
Ante exspectatum positis stat in agmine castris. 
At non., qua Scythiae gentes Maeotiaque unda, 

Tm'bidus et torquens flaventes Ister arenas, 350 

7* 



78 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Quaque redit medium Rliodope porrecta sub axem. 

Illic clausa tenent stabulis armenta, nee ullae 

Aut herbae campo apparent aut arbore frondes ; 

Sed jacet aggeribus niveis informis et alto 

Terra gelu late, septemque assurgit in ulnas. 355 

Semper liiems, semper spirantes frigora Cauri. 

Turn Sol pallentes baud umquam discutit umbras, 

Nee quum invectus equis altum petit aetliera, nee quum 

Praecipitem Oceani rubro lavit aequore currum. 

Concrescunt subitae current! in flumine crustae, 360 

Undaque jam tergo ferratos sustinet orbes, 

Puppibus ilia prius, patulis nunc liospita plaustris ; 

Aeraque dissiliunt vulgo, vestesque rigescunt 

Indutae, caeduntque securibus liumida vina, 

Et totae solidam in glaciem vertere lacunae 365 

Stiriaque impexis induruit horrida bar bis. 

Interea toto non secius aere ningit : 

Intereunt pecudes, stant circumfusa pruinis 

Corpora magna boum, confertoque agmine cervi 

Torpent mole nova et summis vix cornibus exstant. 370 

Hos non immissis canibus, non cassibus uUis, 

Puniceaeve agitant pavidos formidine pinnae ; 

Sed frustra oppositum trudentes pectore montem 

tlomminus obtruncant ferro, graviterque rudentes 

Caedunt, et magno laeti clamore reportant. 375 

Ipsi in defossis specubus secura sub alta 

Otia agunt terra, congcstaque robora totasque 

Advolvere focis ulmos ignique dedere. 

Hie noctem ludo ducunt, et pocula laeti 

Fermento atque acidis imitantur vitea sorbis. 380 

Talis Hyperboreo Septem subjecta trioni 

Gens efFrena virum Rbipaeo tunditur Euro, 

Et pecudum fulvis velatur corpora setis. 



LIBER TERTIUS. T9 

Si tibi lanicmm curae, primum aspera silva, 
Lappaeque tribulique, absmt ; fiige pabula laeta ; 385 

Continuoque greges villis lege mollibus albos. 
Ilium autem, quamvis aries sit candidus ipse, 
Nigra subest udo tan turn cui lingua palato, 
Rejice, ne maculis infuscet vellera puUis 
Nascentum, plenoque alium circumspice campo. 390 

Munere sic niveo lanae, si credere dignum est, 
Pan deus Arcadiae captam te, Luna, fefellit. 
In nemora alta vocans ; nee tu aspernata vocantem. 

At cui lactis amor, cytisum lotosque frequentes 
Ipse manu salsasque ferat praesepibus herbas. 395 

Hinc et amant fluvios magis, et magis ubera tendunt, 
Et salis occultum referunt in lacte saporem. 
Multi jam excretos prohibent a matribus liaedos, 
Primaque ferratis praefigunt or a capistris. 
Quod surgente die mulsere horisque diurnis, 400 

Nocte premunt ; quod jam tenebris et sole cadente, 
Sub lucem exportant calathis — adit oppida pastor — 
Aut parco sale contingunt hiemique reponunt. 

Nee tibi cura canum fuerit postrema, sed una 
Veloces Spartae catulos acremque Molossum 405 

Pasce sero pingui. Numquam custodibus illis 
Nocturnum stabulis furem incursusque luporum, 
Aut impacatos a tergo horrebis Iberos. 
Saepe etiam cursu timidos agitabis onagros, 
Et canibus leporem, canibus venabere damas ; 410 

Saepe volutabris pulsos silvestribus apros 
Latratu turbabis agens, montesque per altos 
Ingentem clamore pr ernes ad retia cervum. 

Disce et odoratam stabulis accendere cedrum, 
Galbaneoque agitare graves nidore chelydros. 415 

Saepe sub immotis praesepibus aut mala tactu 



80 p. VEE.GILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Vipera delltuit, caelumque exterrita fugit ; 

Ant tecto assuetus coluber succedere et umbrae, 

Pestis acerba bourn, pecorique aspergere virus, 

Fovit bunium. Cape saxa manu, cape robora, pastor, 420 

Tollentemque minas et sibila colla tumentem 

Dejice. Janique fuga timidum caput abdidit alte, 

Quum medii nexus extremaeque agmina caudae 

Solvuntur, tardosque trabit sinus ultimus orbes. 

Est etiam ille mains Calabris in saltibus anguis, 425 

Squamea convolvens snblato pectore terga 

Atque notis longam macnlosus grandibus alvum, 

Qui, dum amnes ulli mmpuntur fontibns et dum 

Vere madent udo terrae ac plnvialibus anstris, 

Stagiia colit, ri]3isque habitans, hie piscibus atram 430 

Improbus ingluviem ranisque loquacibns explet ; 

Postquam exnsta pains, terraeque ardore deliiscnnt, 

Exsilit in siccum, et flammantia lumina torquens 

Saevit agris, asperque siti atque exterritus aestu. 

Nee milii turn molles sub divo carpere somnos, 435 

JSTeu dorso nemoris libeat jacuisse per lierbas, 

Quum positis novus exuviis nitidusque jnventa 

Volvitur, ant catnlos tectis ant ova relinquens, 

Ardnus ad solem, et linguis micat ore trisulcis. 

Morborum quoque te causas et signa docebo. 440 

Turpis oves tentat scabies, ubi frigidus imber 
Altius ad vivum persedit et borrida cano 
Bruma gelu, vel quum tonsis illotns adhaesit 
Sudor, et hirsuti secnerunt corpora ^'epres. 
Dulcibns idcirco fluviis pecus omne magistri 445 

Perfundunt, ndisque aries in gnrgite villis 
Mersatur, missusque secundo defluit amni ; 
Ant tonsum tristi contingunt corpus amurca, 
Et spumas misceut argenti et sulfura ^'iva 



LIBER TERTIUS. 81 

Idaeasque pices et pingues -unguine ceras 450 

Scillamque helleborosque graves nigrumque bitumen. 

Non tamen ulla magis praesens fortuna laborum est, 

Quam si.quis ferro potuit rescindere summum 

Ulceris os : alitur vitium vivitque tegendo, 

Dum medicas adhibere manus ad vulnera pastor 455 

Abnegat, aut meliora deos sedet omina poscens. 

Quin etiam, ima dolor balantum lapsus ad ossa 

Quum furit atque artus depascitur arida febris, 

Profuit incensos aestus avertere et inter 

Ima ferire pedis salientem sanguine venam ; 460 

Bisaltae quo more solent acerque Gelonus, 

Quum fugit in Rhodopen atque in deserta Getarum, 

Et lac concretum cum sanguine potat equino. 

Quam procul aut molli succedere saepius umbrae 
Videris, aut summas carpentem ignavius lierbas, 465 

Extremamque sequi, aut medio procumbere campo 
Pascentem, et serae solam decedere nocti : 
Continuo culpam ferro compesce, prius quam 
Dira per incautum serpant contagia vulgus. 
Non tam creber agens hiemem ruit aequore turbo, 470 
Quam multae 2:>ecudum pestes. Nee singula morbi 
Corpora corripiunt, sed tota aestiva repente, 
Spemque gregemque simul, cunctamque ab origine 

gentem. 
Tum sciat, aerias Alpes et Norica si quis 
Castella in tumulis et lapydis arva Timavi 475 

Nunc quoque post tanto videat desertaque regna 
Pastorum et longe saltus lateque vacantes. 

Hie quondam morbo caeli miseranda coorta est 
Tempestas totoque auctumni incanduit aestu, 
Et genus omne neci pecudum dedit, omne ferarum, 480 
Corrupitque lacus, infecit pabula tabo. 



82 p. VERGILI MAROXIS GEORGICON 

TsTec via mortis erat simplex ; sed ubi ignea venis 

Omnibus acta sitis miseros aclduxerat artus, 

Rursus abundabat fluidus liquor omniaque in se 

Ossa minutatim morbo collapsa trahebat. 485 

Saepe in lionore deum medio stans liostia ad aram, 

Lanea dum nivea circumdatur infula vitta, 

Inter cunctantes cecidit moribunda ministros. 

Aut si quam ferro mactaverat ante sacerdos, 

Inde neque impositis ardent altaria fibris, 490 

Nee responsa potest consultus reddere vates, 

Ac vix suppositi tinguntur sanguine cultri, 

Summaque jejuna sanie infuscatur arena. 

Hinc laetis vituli vulgo moriuntur in herbis, 

Et dulces animas plena ad praesepia reddunt ; 495 

Hinc canibus blandis rabies venit, et quatit aegros 

Tussis anliela sues ac faucibus angit obesis. 

Labitur infelix studiorum atque immemor herbae 

Victor equus fontesque avertitur et pede terram 

Crebra ferit ; demissae aures, incertus ibidem 500 

Sudor, et ille quidem morituris frigidus, aret 

Pellis et ad tactum tractanti dura resistit. 

Haec ante exitium primis dant signa diebus ; 

Sin in processu coepit crudescere morbus, 

Tum vero ardentes oculi atque attractus ab alto 505 

Spiritus, interdum gernitu gravis, imaque longo 

Ilia singultu tendunt, it naribus ater 

Sanguis, et obsessas fauces premit aspera lingua. 

Profuit inserto latices infundere cornu 

Lenaeos ; ea visa salus morientibus una ; 510 

Mox erat hoc ipsum exitio, furiisque refecti 

Ardebant, ipsique suos jam morte sub aegra — 

Di meliora piis eri'oremque liostibus ilium ! — 

Discissos nudis laiiiabant dentibus artus. 



LIBER TEETIUS. 83 

Ecce autem duro fumans sub vomere taurus 515 

Concidit et mixtum spumis vomit ore cniorem 

Extremosque ciet gemitus. It tristis arator, 

Maerentem abjungens fraterna morte juvencum, 

Atque opere in medio defixa reiinquit aratra. 

Non umbrae altormii nemormn, non moUia possunt 520 

Prata movere animum, non, qui per saxa volutus 

Purior electro camptim petit amnis ; at ima 

Solvuntur latera, atque oculos stupor urget inertes, 

Ad terramque fluit devexo pondere cervix. 

Quid labor aut benefacta juvant ? quid vomere terras 525 

Invertisse graves ? Atqui non Massica Bacchi 

Munera, non illis epulae nocuere repostae : 

Frondibus et victu pascuntur simplicis lierbae, 

Pocula sunt fontes liquid! atque exercita cursu 

Flumina, nee somnos abrumpit cura salubres. 530 

Tempore non alio dicunt regionibus illis 

Quaesitas ad sacra boves Junonis, et uris 

Imparibus ductos alta ad donaria currus. 

Ergo aegre rastris terram rimantur, et ipsis 

Unguibus infodiunt fruges, montesque per altos 535 

Contenta cervice tralmnt stridentia plaustra. 

Non lupus insidias explorat ovilia circum, 

Nee gregibus nocturnus obambulat ; acrior ilium 

Cura domat ; timidi damae cervique fugaces 

Nunc interque canes et circum tecta vagantur. 540 

Jam maris immensi prolem et genus omne natantum 

Litore in extremo, ceu naufraga corpora, fluctus 

Proluit ; insolitae fugiunt in flumina pbocae. 

Interit et curvis frustra defensa latebris 

Vipera, et attoniti squamis astantibus hydri. 545 

Ipsis est aer avibus non aequus, et illae 

Praecipites alta vitam sub nube relinquunt, 



84 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICOX 

Praeterea jam nee mutari pabula refert, 

Quaesitaeque nocent artes ; cessere maglstii, 

Phillyrides Chiron Amytliaoniusque Melampus. 550 

Saevit et in lucem Stygiis emissa tenebris 

Pallida Tisiplione Morbos agit ante Metumque, 

Inque dies avidum surgens caput altius efFert. 

Balatu peconim et crebris inugitibus amnes 

Arentesque sonant ripae collesque supini. 555 

Jam que cater vatim dat stragem atque aggerat ipsis 

In stabulis turpi dilapsa cadavera tabo, 

Donee humo teo;ere ac foveis abscondere discunt. 

Nam neque erat coriis usus, nee viscera quisquam 

Aut luidis abolere potest, aut vincere flamma ; 560 

Ne tondere quidem morbo illuvieque peresa 

Vellera nee telas possunt attingere putres ; 

Verum etiam, invisos si quis tentarat amictus, 

Ardentes papulae atque immundus olentia sudor 

Membra sequebatur, nee longo deinde moranti 565 

Tempore contactos artus saeer ignis edebat. 



p. VERGILI MARONIS 

GEORGICON 

LIBEE QU AUTUS. 



Protinus aerii mellis caelestia dona 

Exsequar. Hanc etiam, Maecenas, aspice partem. 

Admiranda tibi levium spectacula rerum 

Magnanimosque duces totiusque ordine gentis 

Mores et studia et populos et proelia dicam. 5 

In tenni labor ; at tenuis non gloria, si quern - 

Numina laeva sinunt auditque vocatus Apollo. 

Principio sedes apibus statioque petenda. 
Quo neque sit ventis aditus — nam pabula venti 
Ferre domum proliibent — neque oves haedique petulci 10 
Floribus insultent, aut errans bucula campo 
Decutiat rorem, et surgentes atterat lierbas. 
Absint et picti squalentia terga lacerti 
Pinguibus a stabulis, meropesque, aliaeque volucres, 
Et manibus Procne pectus signata cruentis ; 15 

Omnia nam late vastant, ipsasque volantes 
Ore ferunt dulcem nidis immitibus escam. 
At liquidi fontes et stagna virentia musco 
Adsint, et tenuis fiigiens per gramina rivus, 
Palmaque vestibulum aut ingens oleaster inumbret, 20 
Ut, quum prima riovi ducent examina .reges 
Vere suo, ludetque fa vis emissa juventus, 

8 85 



86 p. VERGILl MARONIS GEOEGICON 

Vicina invitet decedere ripa calori, 

Obviaque liospitiis teneat frondentibus arbos. 

In medium, seu stabit iiiers, seu profluet humor, 25 

Transversas salices et grandia conjice saxa, 

Pontibus ut crebris possint consistere et alas 

Pandere ad aestivum solem, si forte morantes 

Sparserit aut praeceps Neptuno imm.erserit Eurus. 

Haec circum casiae virides et olentia late 30 

Serpylla et graviter spirantis copia thymbrae 

Floreat, irriguumque bibant violaria fontem. 

Ipsa autem, seu corticibus tibi suta cavatis, 

Seu lento fuerint alvearia vimine texta, 

Angiistos liabeant aditus : nam frigore mella 35 

Cogit liiems, eademque calor liquefacta remittit. 

Utraque vis apibus pariter metuenda ; neque illae 

Nequioquam in tectis certatim tenuia cera 

Spiramenta linunt, fucoque et floribus oras 

Explent, collectumque haec ipsa ad mmiera gluten 40 

Et visco et Phiygiae servant pice lentius Idae. 

Saepe etiam efFossis, si vera est fama, latebris 

Sub terra fovere larem, penitusque repertae 

Pumicib usque cavis exesaeque arboris antro. 

Tu tamen et levi rimosa cubilia limo 45 

Unge fovens circum, et raras superinjice frondes. 

Neu propius tectis taxum sine, neve rubentes 

Ure foco cancros, altae neu crede paludi, 

Aut ubi odor coeni gravis, aut ubi con cava pulsu 

Saxa sonant vocisque ofFensa resultat imago. 50 

Quod superest, ubi pulsam hiemem Sol aureus egit 
Sub terras caelumque aestiva luce reclusit, 
Illae continuo saltus silvasque peragrant 
Purpureosque metunt flores et flumina libant 
Summa leves. Hinc nescio qua dulcedine laetae 55 



LIBER QUARTUS. 87 

Progeniem nidosque fovent, liinc arte recentes 

Excudunt ceras et mella tenacia fingunt. 

Hinc ubi jam emissum caveis ad sidera caeli 

Nare per- aestatem liquidam suspexeris agmen 

Obscuramque trahi vento mirabere nubem, 60 

Contemplator : aquas dulces et frondea semper 

Tecta petunt. Hue tu jussos asperge sapores, 

Trita melispbylla et cerintliae ignobile gramen, 

Tinnitusque cie et Matris quate cymbala circum : 

Ipsae consident medicatis sedibus, ipsae 65 

Intima more suo sese in cunabula condent. 

Sin autem ad pugnam exierint — nam saepe duobus 
Regibus incessit magno discordia motu ; 
Continuoque animos vulgi et trepidantia bello 
Corda licet longe praesciscere ; namque morantes 70 

Martius ille aeris rauci canor increpat, et vox 
Auditur fractos sonitus imitata tubarum ; 
Turn trepidae inter se coeunt, pennisque coruscant, 
Spiculaque exacuunt rostris, aptantque lacertos, 
Et circa regem atque ipsa ad praetoria densae 75 

Miscentur, magnisque vocant clamoribus hostem. 
Ergo ubi ver nactae sudum camposque patentes, 
Erampunt portis : concurritur ; aethere in alto 
Fit sonitus ; magnum mixtae glomerantur in orbem, 
Praecipitesque cadunt ; non densior aere grando, 80 

Nee de concussa tantum pluit ilice glandis. 
Ipsi per medias acies insignibus alis 
Ingentes animos angusto in pectore versant, 
Usque adeo obnixi non cedere, dum gravis aut lios 
Aut lios versa fuga victor dare terga subegit. 85 

Hi motus animorum atque haec certamina tanta 
Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt. 

Verum ubi ductores acie rcvocaveris ambo, 



88 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Deterior qui visus, eum, ne prodigus obsit, 

Dede neci ; melior vacua sine regnet in aula. 90 

Alter erit maculis auro squalentibus ardens ; 

Nam duo sunt genera ; hie melior, insignis et ore, 

Et rutilis clarus squamis ; ille horridus alter 

Desidia latamque traliens inglorius alvum. 

Ut binae regum facies, ita corpora plebis. 95 

Namque aliae turpes horrent, ceu pulvere ab alto 

Quum venit et sicco terram spuit ore viator 

Aridus ; elucent aliae et fulgore coruscant, 

Ardentes auro et paribus lita corpora guttis. 

Haec potior suboles ; hinc caeli tempore certo 100 

Dulcia mella premes, nee tan turn dulcia, quantum 

Et liquid a et durum Bacclii domitura sap or em. 

At quum incerta volant caeloque examina ludunt, 
Contemnuntque favos et frigida tecta relinquunt, 
Instabiles animos ludo proliibebis inani. 105 

Nee magnus ]3roliibere labor : tu regibus alas 
Eripe ; non illis quisquam cunctantibus altum 
Ire iter aut castris audebit vellere signa. 
Invitent croceis halantes floribus horti, 
Et custos furum atque avium cum falce saligna 110 

Hellespontiaci servet tutela Priapi. 
Ipse thymum pinosque ferens de montibus altis 
Tecta serat late circum, cui talia curae ; 
Ipse labore manum duro terat, ipse feraces 
Figat humo plantas et amicos irriget imbres. 115 

Atque equidem, extremo ni jam sub fine laborum 
Vela traham et terris festinem advertere proram, 
Forsitan et, pingues hortos quae cura colendi 
Ornaret, canerem, biferique rosaria Paesti, 
Quoque modo potis gauderent intuba rivis 120 

Et virides apio ripae, tortusque per herbam 



LIBER QUARTUS. 89 

Cresceret In ventrem cucumis ; nee sera comantem 

Narcissum aut flexi tacuissem vimen acanthi 

Pallentesque hederas et amantes litora myrtos. 

Namqiie' sub Oebaliae memlni me turribus altis, 125 

Qua niger humectat flaventia culta Galaesus, 

Corycium vidisse senem, cui pauca relicti 

Jugera ruris erant, nee fertilis ilia juvencis, 

Nee pecori opportuna seges, nee eommoda Baceho. 

Hie rarum tamen in dumis olus albaque eireum 130 

Lilia verbenasque premens vescumque papaver, 

Regum aequabat opes animis, seraque revertens 

Nocte domum dapibus mensas onerabat inemptis. 

Primus vere rosam atque auctumno earpere poma, 

Et quum tristis liiems etiamnum frigore saxa 135 

Rumperet et glacie cursus frenaret aquarum, 

Ille eomam mollis jam tondebat liyaeintlii, 

Aestatem in crepitans seram zephyr osque mor antes. 

Ergo apibus fetis idem atque examine multo 

Primus abundare et spumantia cogere pressis 140 

Mella favis ; illi tiliae atque uberrima pinus ; 

Quotque in flore novo pomis se fertilis arbos 

Induerat, totidem auctumno matura tenebat. 

Ille etiam seras in versum distulit ulmos 

Eduramque pirum et spinos jam pruna ferentes 145 

Jamque minis trantem platanum potantibus umbras. 

Verum haec ipse equidem spatiis exclusus iniquis 

Praetereo atque aliis post me memoranda relinquo. 

Nunc age, naturas apibus quas Juppiter ipse 
Addidit expediam, pro qua mercede, canoros 150 

Curetum sonitus crepitantiaque aera seeutae, 
Dictaeo caeli Regem pavere sub antro. 
Solae communes natos, consortia tecta 
Urbis habent, magnisque agitant sub legibus aevum, 

8* 



90 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Et patriam solae et certos novere penates ; 155 

Venturaeque hiemis memores aestate laborem 

Experiuntur et in medium quaesita reponmit. 

Namque aliae victu invigilant et foeclere pacto 

Exercentur agris ; pars intra septa domorum 

Narcissi lacrimam et lentum de cortice gluten 160 

Prima favis ponunt fundamina, deinde tenaces 

Suspendunt ceras ; aliae spem gentis adultos 

Educunt fetus ; aliae purissima mella 

Stipant et liquido distendunt nectare cellas. 

Sunt, quibus ad portas cecidit custodia sorti, 165 

In que vicem speculantur aquas et nubila caeli, 

Aut onera accipiunt venientum, aut agmine facto 

Ignavum fucos pecus a praesepibus arcent. 

Fervet opus, redolentque thymo fragrantia mella. 

Ac veluti lentis Cyclopes fulmina massis 170 

Quum properant, alii taurinis follibus auras 

Accij^iunt redduntque, alii stridentia tingunt 

Aera lacu ; gemit impositis incudibus Aetna ; 

Illi inter sese magna vi bracliia tollunt 

In numerum, versantque teiiaci forcipe ferrum : 175 

Non aliter, si parva licet componere magnis, 

Cecropias innatus apes amor urget liabendi, 

Munere quamque suo. Grandaevis oppida curae, 

Et munii-e favos, et daedala fingere tecta. 

At fessae multa referunt se nocte minores, 180 

Crura thymo plenae ; pascuntur et arbuta passim 

Et glaucas salices casiamque crocumque rubentem 

Et pinguem tiliam et ferrugineos hyacinthos. 

Omnibus una quies operum, labor omnibus unus : 

Mane ruunt portis ; nusquam mora ; rursus easdem 185 

Vesper ubi e pastu tandem decedere campis 

Admonuit, tum tecta petunt, turn corpora curant ; 



LIBER QUARTUS. 91 

Fit sonitus, mussantque or as et limina circum. 

Post, ubi jam thalamis se composuere, siletur 

In noctem, fessosque sopor suus occupat artus. 190 

Nee verb a stabulis pluvia impendente recedunt 

Longiiis, aut credunt caeio adventantibus Euris ; 

Sed circum tutae sub moenibus urbis aquantur, 

Excursusque breves tentant, et saepe lapillos, 

Ut cymbae instabiles fluctu jactante saburram, 195 

Tollunt, Ms sese per inania nubila librant. 

Ilium adeo placuisse apibus mirabere morem, 

Quod neque concubitu indulgent, nee corpora segnes 

In Venerem sohamt, aut fetus nixibus edunt ; 

Verum ipsae e foliis natos et suavibus herbis 200 

Ore legunt, ipsae regem parvosque Quirites 

Sufficiunt, aulasque et cerea regna refingunt. 

Saepe etiam duris errando in cotibus alas 

Attrivere, ultroque animam sub fasee dedere : 

Tantus amor florum et generandi gloria mollis. 205 

Ergo ipsas quamvis angTisti terminus aevi 

Excipiat — neque enim plus septima ducitur aestas — 

At genus immortale manet, multosque per annos 

Stat fortuna domus, et avi numerantur avorum. 

Praeterea regem non sic Aegyptus et ingens 210 

Lydia, nee populi Partliorum aut Medus Hydaspes 

Observant. Rege incolumi mens omnibus una est ; 

Amisso rupere fidem, constructaque mella 

Diripuere ipsae et crates solvere favorum. 

Ille operum custos, ilium admirantur, et omnes 215 

Circumstant fremitu denso, stipantque frequentes, 

Et saepe attollunt humeris, et corpora bello 

Objectant pulchramque petunt per vulnera mortem. 

His quidam signis atque haec exempla secuti 
Esse apibus partem divinae mentis et haustus 220 



92 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Aetlierios dixere ; deum namque ire per omnes 
Terrasque tractusque maris caelumque profundum ; 
Hinc pecudes, armenta, viros, geniis omne ferarum, 
Quemque sibi tenues nascentem arcessere vitas ; 
Scilicet hue reddi deinde ac resoluta referri 225 

Omnia, nee morti esse locum, sed viva volare 
Sideris in numerum atque alto succedere caelo. 

Si quando sedem angustam servataque mella 
Thesauris relines, prius haustu sparsus aquarum 
Ora fove, fumosque manu praetende sequaces. 230 

Bis gravidos cogunt fetus, duo tempora messis, 
Tajgete simul os terris ostendit honestum 
Plias et Oceani spretos pede repulit amnes, 
Aut eadem sidus fugiens ubi Piscis aquosi 
Tristior liibernas caelo descendit in undas. 235 

Illis ira modum supra est, laesaeque venenum 
Morsibus inspirant, et spicula caeca relinquunt 
Affixae venis, animasque in vulnere ponunt. 
Sin duram metues hiemem parcesque future 
Contusosque animos et res miserabere fractas : 240 

At sufflre tliymo cerasque recidere inanes 
Quis dubitet ? nam saepe favos ignotus adedit 
Stellio et lucifu2;is con^esta cubilia blattis 
Immunisque sedens aliena ad pabula fucus ; 
Aut asper crabro imparibus se immiscuit armis, 245 

Aut dirum, tineae, genus, aut invisa Minervae 
Laxos in foribus suspendit aranea casses. 
Quo magis exhaustae fuerint, hoc acrius omnes 
Incumbent generis lapsi sarcire ruinas, 
Complebuntque foros et floribus horrea texent. 250 

Si vero, quoniam casus apibus quoque nostros 
Vita tulit, tristi languebunt corpora morbo — 
Quod jam non dubiis poteris cognoscere signis : 



LIBER QUARTUS. 93 

Contlniio est aegris alius color ; horrida vultum 

Deformat macies ; turn corpora luce carentum 255 

Exportant tectfs et tristia fun era ducunt ; 

Aut illae pedibus connexae ad limina pendent, 

Aut intus clausis cunctantur in aedibus, omnes 

Ignavaeque fame et contracto frigore pigrae. 

Turn sonus auditur gravior, tractimque susurrant, 260 

Frigidus ut quondam silvis immurmurat Auster ; 

Ut mare soUicitum stridit refluentibus undis ; 

Aestuat ut clausis rapidus fornacibus ignis. 

Hie jam galbaneos suadebo incendere odores, 

Mellaque arundineis inferre canalibus, ultro 265 

Hortantem et fessas ad pabula nota vocantem. 

Proderit et tunsum gallae admiscere saporem 

Arentesque rosas, aut igni pinguia multo 

Defruta, vel Psytliia passos de vite racemos 

Cecropiumque tliymum et grave olentia centaurea. 270 

Est etiam flos in pratis, cui nomen amello 

Fecere agricolae, facilis quaerentibus herba ; 

Namque uno ingentem tollit de caespite silvam, 

Aureus ipse, sed in foliis, quae plurima circum 

Funduntur, violae sublucet purpura nigrae ; 275 

Saepe deum nexis ornatae torquibus arae ; 

Asper in ore sapor ; tonsis in vallibus ilium 

Pastores et curva legunt prope flumina Mellae. 

Hujus odorato radices incoque Baccbo, 

Pabulaque in foribus plenis appone canistris. 280 

Sed si quern proles siibito defecerit omnis, 
Nee, genus unde novae stinrls revocetur, habebit, 
Tempus et Arcadii memoranda inventa magistri 
Pandere, quoque modo caesis jam saepe juvencis 
Insincerus apes tulerit cruor. Altius omnem 285 

Expediam prima repetens ab origine famam. 



94 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Nam qua Pellaei gens fortiinata Canopi 

Accolit efFuso stagnantem flumine Nilum 

Et circum pictis veliitiir sua rura pliaselis, 

Quaque pharetratae vicinia Persidis urget, 290 

Et viridem Aegyptum nigra fecundat arena, 

Et diversa mens septem discurrit in ora 

Usque coloratis amnis devexus ab Indis, 

Omnis in liac certain regio jacit arte salutem. 

Exiguus primum, atque ipsos contractus ad usus, 295 

Eligitur locus ; hunc angustique imbrice tecti 

Parietibusque premunt arctis, et quattuor addunt, 

Quattuor a ventis, obliqua luce fenestras. 

Turn vitulus bima curvans jam cornua fronte 

Quaeritur ; huic geminae nares et spiritus oris 300 

Multa reluctanti obstruitur, plagisque perempto 

Tunsa per integram solvuntur viscera pellem. 

Sic positum in clauso linqnunt, et ramea costis 

Subjiciunt fragmenta, thymum, casiasque recentes. 

Hoc geritur Zephyris primnm inipelientibus undas, 305 

Ante novis rubeant quam prata coloribus, ante 

Garrula quam tignis nidmn suspendat liimndo. 

Interea teneris tepefactus in ossibus liumor 

Aestuat, et yisenda modis animalia miris, 

Trunca pedum primo, mox et stridentia pennis, 310 

Miscentur, tenuemque magis magis aera carpunt, 

Donee, ut aestivis efFusus nubibus imber, 

Erupere, aut ut, nervo pulsante, sagittae. 

Prima leves ineunt si quando proelia Parthi. 

Quis dens lianc, INIusae, quis nobis extudit artem ? 315 
Unde nova ingressus hominum experientia cepit ? 
Pastor Aristaeus fugiens Peneia Tempe, 
Amissis, ut fama, apibus morboque fameque, 
Tristis ad extremi sacrum caput adstitit amnis, 



LIBER QUARTUS. 95 

Multa querens, atque liac aifatus voce parentem : 320 

" Mater, Cyrene mater, quae gurgitis liujus 

Ima tenes, quid me praeclara stirpe deorum. — 

Si modo, quem perliibes, pater est Thymbraeus Apollo — 

Invisum fatis genuisti ? aut quo tibi nostri 

Pulsus amor ? quid me caelum sperare jubebas ? 325 

En etiam liunc ipsum vitae mortalis honorem, 

Quem mihi vix frugum et pecuduui custodia sollers 

Omnia tentanti extuderat, te matre, relinquo. 

Quin age, et ipsa manu felices erue silvas, 

Fer stabulis inimicum ignem atque interfice messes, 330 

Ure sata, et validam in vites molire bipennem, 

Tanta meae si te ceperunt taedia laudis." 

At mater sonitum thalamo sub fluminis alti 
Sensit. Eam circum Milesia vellera Nympliae 
Carpebant, byali saturo fucata colore, 335 

Drymoque, Xantlioque, Ligeaque, Phyllodoceque, 
Caesariem effusae nitidam per Candida colla, 
[Nesaee, Spioque, Thaliaque, Cymodoceque,] 
Cydippeque et flava Lycorias, altera virgo. 
Altera turn primos Lucinae experta labores, 340 

Clioque, etBeroe soror, Oceanitides ambae, 
Ambae auro, pictis incinctae pellibus ambae, 
Atque Ephyre, atque Opis, et Asia Deiopea, 
Et tandem positis velox Aretliusa sagittis. 
Inter quas curam Clymene narrabat inanem 345 

Vulcani, Martisque dolos et dulcia furta, 
Aque Cliao densos divum numerabat amores. 
Carmine quo captae dum fusis molHa pensa 
Devolvunt, iterum maternas impulit aures 
Luctus Aristaei, vitreisque sedilibus omnes 350 

Obstupuere ; sed ante alias Arethusa sorores 
Prospiciens summa flavum caput extulit unda 



96 p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 

Et procul : " O gemitu non frustra exterrita tanto, 

Cyrene soror, ipse tibi, tua maxima cura, 

Tristis Aristaeus Penei genitoris ad undam 355 

Stat lacrimans, et te crudelem nomine dicit." 

Hiiic percussa nova mentem formidine mater, 

" Due, age, due ad nos ; fas illi limina divum 

Tangere," ait. Simnl alta jubet discedere late 

Flumina, qua juvenis gressus inferret. At ilium 360 

Curvata in montis faciem circumstetit unda 

Accepitque sinu vasto misitque sub amnem. 

Jamque domum mirans genetricis et humida regna, 

Speluncisque lacus clausos, lucosque sonantes, 

Ibat, et ingenti motu stupefactus aquarum 365 

Omnia sub magna labentia ilumina terra 

Spectabat diversa locis, Pliasimque, Lycumque, 

Et caput, unde altus primum se erumpit Enipeus, 

Unde pater Tiberinus, et unde Aniena fluenta, 

Saxosusque sonans Hjpanis, Mysusque Caicus, 370 

Et gemina auratus taurine cornua vultu 

Eridanus, quo non alius per pinguia culta 

In mare purpureum violentior effluit amnis. 

Postquam est in thalami pendentia pumice tecta 

Perventum et nati fletus cognovit inanes 375 

Cyrene, manibus liquidos dant ordine fontes 

Germanae, tonsisque ferunt mantelia villis ; 

Pars epulis onerant mensas et plena reponunt 

Pocula ; Panchaeis adolescunt ignibus irae ; 

Et mater, " Cape Maeonii carcliesia Bacchi : 380 

Oceano libemus," ait. Simul ipsa precatur 

Oceanumque patrem rerum Nymphasque sorores, 

Centum quae silvas, centum quae flumina servant. 

Ter liquido ardentem peifudit nectare Vestam, 

Ter flamma ad summum tecti subjecta reluxit. 385 



L113ER QUARTUS. 97 



Omiiie quo firmans animnm sic incipit ipsa : 
" Est in Carpathio Neptuni giirgite vates, 
Caeruleus Proteus, magnum qui piscibus aequor 
Et juncto bipedum curru metitur equorum. 
Hie nunc Emathiae portus patriamque revisit 390 

Palienen ; lumc et Nymphao veneramur et ipse 
Grandaevus Nereus ; novit namque omnia vates, 
Quae sint, quae fuerint, quae mox ventura traliantur ; 
Quippe^ita Neptuno visum est, immania cujus 
Armenta et turpes pascit sub gurgite phocas. 395 

Hie tibi, nate, prius vinelis capiendus, ut omnem 
Expediat morbi causam, eventusque seeundet. 
Nam sine vi non ulla dabit praeeepta, neque ilium 
Orando flectes ; vim duram et vineula capto 
Tende ; doli circum baec demum frangentur inanes. 400 
Ipsa ego te, medios quum sol aeeenderit aestus, 
Quum sitiunt lierbae, et peeori jam gratior umbra est, 
In seereta senis dueam, quo fessus ab undis 
Se recipit, facile ut somno aggrediare jacentem. 
Verum ubi correptum mauibus Aanelisque tenebis, 405 
Turn variae eludent species atque ora ferarum. 
Fiet enim subito sus liorridus, atraque tigris, 
Squamosusque draco, et fulva cerviee leaena ; 
Aut acrem flammae sonitum dabit, atque ita vinelis 
Exeidet, aut in aquas tenues dilapsus abibit. 410 

Sed quanto ille magis formas se vertet in omnes, 
Tanto, nate, magis eoutende tenaeia vinela, 
Donee talis erit mutato corpore, qualem 
Videris, incepto tegeret quum lumina somno." 

Haec ait, et liquidum ambrosiae difFunclit odorem, 415 
Quo totum nati corpus perduxit ; at illi 
Dulcis compositis spiravit erinibus aura, 
Atque habilis membris venit vigor. Est speeus ingens 



98 p. YERGILI MAROXIS GEOKGICON 

Exesi latere in montis, c}uo pliiriina vento 

Cogitur in que sinus scindit sese unda reductos, 420 

Deprensis olim static tutissima nautis ; 

Intus se vasti Proteus teo;it objice saxi. 

Hie juvenem in latebris aversum a lumine Nymplia 

Collocat ; ipsa procul nebulis obscura resistit. 

Jam rapidus torrens sitientes Sirius Indos 425 

Ardebat caelo, et medium sol igneus orbem 

Hauserat ; arebant berbae, et cava flumina siccis , 

Faucibus ad limum radii topefacta coquebant : 

Quum Proteus consueta petens e fluctibns antra 

Ibat ; eum vasti circum gens humida ponti 430 

Exsultans rorem late dispersit amarum. 

Sternunt se somno diversae in litore pliocae ; 

Ipse, velut stabidi custos in montibus olim, 

Vesper ubi e pastu vitulos ad tecta reducit, 

Auditisque lupos acuunt balatibus agni, 435 

Considit scopulo medius, numermnque recenset. 

Cujus Aristaeo quoniam est oblata facultas, 

Vix defessa senem passus componere membra, 

Cum clamore ruit magno, manicisque jacentem 

Occupat. Ille suae contra non immemor artis 440 

Omnia transformat sese in miracula rerum, 

Ignemque, borribilemque feram, fluviumque liquentem. 

Verum ubi nulla fugam reperit fallacia, victus 

In sese redit, atque hominis tandem ore lecutus : 

" Nam quis te, juvenum confidentissime, nostras 445 

Jussit adire domos ? quidve hinc petis ?" inquit. At ille: 

" Scis, Proteu, scis ipse ; neque est te fallere quidquam ; 

Sed tu desine velle. Deum praecepta secuti 

Venimus, liinc lapsis quaesitum oracula rebus." 

Tantum effatus. Ad haec vates vi denique multa 450 

Ardentes oculos intorsit lumine glauco, 



IIBER QUARTUS. 99 

Et graviter frendens sic fatis ora resolvit : 
" Non te nullius exercent numinis irae : 
Magna luis commissa : tibi lias miserabilis Orpheus 
Hand quaquam ob meritum poenas, ni Fata resistant, 455 
Suscitat, et rapta graviter pro conjuge saevit. 
Ilia quidem, dum te fugeret per flumina praeceps, 
Immanem ante pedes hydrum moritnra pnella 
Servantem ripas alta non vidit in herba. 
At chorus aequalis Dryadum clamore supremos 460 

Implerunt montes ; flerunt Rhodopeiae arces, 
Altaque Pangaea, et Rliesi Mavortia teilus, 
Atque Getae, atque Hebrus, et Actias Orithyia. 
Ipse, cava solans aegrum testudine amorem, 
Te, dulcis conjnx, te solo in htore secum, 465 

Te veniente die, te decedente canebat. 
Taenarias etiam fauces, alta ostia Ditis, 
Et calicrantem nio-ra formidine lucum 
Ingressus, Manesque adiit Regemque tremendum, 
Nesciaque humanis precibus niansuescere corda. 470 

At cantu commotae Erebi de sedibus iniis 
Umbrae ibant tenues simulacraque luce carentum, 
Quam multa in foliis avium se millia condunt, 
Vesper ubi aut hibernus agit de montibus imber, 
Matres atque viri, defunctaque corpora vita 475 

Magnanimum heroum, pueri innuptaeque puellae, 
Impositique rogis juvenes ante ora pai'cntum ; 
Quos circum limus niger et deformis armido 
Cocyti tardaque palus inamabilis unda 
Alligat, et novies Styx interfusa coercet. 480 

Quin ipsae stupuere domus atque intima Let! 
Tartara caeruleosque impiexae crinlbus angnes 
Eumenides, tennitque inhians tria Cerberus ora, 
Atque Ixionil vento rota constitit orbis. 



100 p. VERGILI MAEONIS GEORGICON 

Jamqne pedem referens casus evaserat onines, 485 

Reclditaque Eurydice siiperas veniebat ad auras, 

Pone sequens, — nanique hanc dederat Proserpina legem— 

Quum subita incautnm dementia cepit amantem, 

Ignoscenda quidem, scirent si ignoscere Manes : 

Restitit, Euiydicenque suam, jam luce sub ipsa, 490 

Immemor, heu ! victusque animi respexit. Ibi omnis 

Effusus labor, atque immitis rupta tyranni 

Foedera, terque fragor stagnis auditus Avernis. 

Ilia, " Quis et me," inquit, " miseram, et te perdidit, 

Orpheu, 
Quis tantus furor ? En iterum crudelia retro 495 

Fata vocant, conditque natantia lumina somnus. 
Jamque vale : feror ingenti circumdata nocte, 
Invalidasque tibi tendens, heu non tua, palmas !" 
Dixit, et ex oculis subito, ceu fumus in auras 
Commixtus tenues, fugit diversa, neque ilium, . 500 

Prensantem nequicquam umbras et multa volentem 
Dicere, praeterea vidit ; nee portitor Orci 
Amplius objectam passus transire paludem. 
Quid faceret ? quo se rapta bis conjuge ferret ? 
Quo fletu Manes, qua Numina voce moveret ? 505 

Ilia quidem Stygia nabat jam frigida cymba. 
Septem ilium totos perliibent ex ordine menses 
Rupe sub aeria deserti ad Strymonis undam 
Flevisse, et gelidis liaec evolvisse sub antris, 
Mulcentem tigres et agentem carmine quercus ; 510 

Qualis populea maerens philomela sub umbra 
Amissos queritur fetus, qoos durus arator 
Observans nido implumes detraxit ; at ilia 
Flet noctem, ramoque sedens miserabile carmen 
Integrat, et maestis late loca questibus implet. 515 

Nulla Venus, non ulli animum flexere hvmenaei. 



LIBER QUAKTUS. 101 

Solus Hyperboreas glades Tanalmque nivalem 
Arvaque Rhipaeis numquam viduata pruinis 
Lustrabat, raptam Eurydicen atque irrita Ditis 
Dona querens ; spretae Ciconmii quo munere matres 520 
Inter sacra deum nocturnique orgia Bacclii 
Discerptum latos juvenem s])arsere per agros. 
Turn quoque marmorea caput a cervice revulsum 
Gurgite quum medio portans Oeagrius Hebrus 
Volveret, "Eurydicen" vox ipsa et frigida lingua, 525 
"All miseram Eurydicen" ! anima fugiente yocabat ; 
Eurydicen toto referebant flumine ripae." 

Haec Proteus, et se jactu dedit aequor in altum, 
Quaque dedit, spumantem undam sub vertice torsit. 
At non Gyrene ; namque ultro afFata timentem : 530 

" Nate, licet tristes animo deponere curas. 
Haec omnis morbi causa ; hinc miserabile Nympliae, 
Cum quibus ilia choros lucis agitabat in altis, 
Exitium misere apibus. Tu munera supplex 
Tende petens pacem, et faciles venerare Napaeas ; 535 
Namque dabunt veniam votis, irasque remittent. 
Sed modus orandi qui sit, prius ordine dicam. 
Quattuor eximios praestanti corpore tauros, 
Qui tibi nunc viridis depascunt summa Lycaei, 
Delige, et intacta totidem cervice juvencas. 540 

Quattuor bis aras alta ad delubra dearum 
Gonstitue, et sacrum jugulis demitte cruorem, 
Gorporaque ipsa boum frondoso desere luco. 
Post, ubi nona suos Aurora ostenderit ortus, 
Inferias Orpliei Letliaea papavera mittes, 545 

Et nigram mactabis ovem, lucumque revises ; 
Placatam Eurydicen vitula venerabere caesa." 

9* 



102 p. VERGILI MARO^^IS GEORGICON 

Hand mora ; continuo matiis praecepta facessit ; 
Ad delubra venit, monstratas excitat aras, 
Quattuor eximios praestanti corpore tauros 550 

Ducit, et intacta totidem cervice jiivencas. 
Post, ubi nona siios Aurora induxerat ortus, 
Inferias Orpliei mittit, lucumque revisit. 
Hie vero subitum ac dictu mirabile monstrum 
Aspiciunt, liquefacta boum per viscera toto 555 

Stridere apes utero et ruptis effervere costis, 
Immensasque tralii nubes, jamque arbore summa 
Confluere et lentis uvam demittere ramis. 

Haec super arvorum cultu pecorumque canebam 
Et super arboribus, Caesar dum magnus ad altum 560 
Fulminat Euphraten bello, victorque volentes 
Per populos dat jura, viamque aiFectat Olympo. 
Illo Vergilium me tempore dulcis alebat 
Parthenope, studiis florentem ignobilis oti, 
Carmina qui lusi pastorum, audaxque juventa, 565 

Tityre, te patulae cecini sub tegmine fagi. 



LIFE AND WRITINGS OF YIRGIL. 

(Compiled principally from the editions of Conington, Bryce and Keightley.) 



P. Vergilius Mako was born on the loth of October, a. u. c. 684 (B. C. 
70), in the first consulship of Cn. Pompeius Magnus and M. Licinius Crassus, 
at Andes, (now Pietola), a village near Mantua. The poet Horace, after- 
wards one of his friends, was born B. C. 65 ; and Octavianus Caesar, after- 
wards the emperor Augustus, and his patron, B. C. 63. His father, Virgilius 
Maro, had a small farm, which he cultivated. His mother's name was Maia. 
The son was sent first to Cremona and afterwards to Modiolanum (Milan) for 
his education; and, at the former city he assumed the toc/a virilis on the day 
on which he commenced his sixteenth year. Subsequently he went to Nea- 
polis (Naples), and studied under the poet Parthenius, from whom it is said 
he learned Greek. He also received instruction, and probably at Rome, from 
the Epicurean philosopher Syro. 

The health of Virgil was always feeble, and there is no evidence of his at- 
tempting to rise by those means by which a Roman gained distinction, ora- 
toiy and the practice of arms. It is probable that he returned to his paternal 
farm about a. u. c. 709, and here he may have written some of the small 
pieces which are attributed to him, the Culex, Ciris, Moretura, Copa and 
others ; though their authorship is doubtful. 

The death of Julius Caesar, B. C. 44, raised up two parties in the state. 
M. Antonius and Octavianus Caesar were the heads of the Julian party; 
Brutus and Cassius of the opposite faction; and their defeat at Philippi, 
B. C. 42, by Antony and Octavianus, gave the supreme power to the two 
victorious generals. Upon the return of Octavianus to Italy, (Antony being 
absent in Asia), he began to assign to his soldiers lands which had been 
promised them for their services ; and in thus providing for the soldiers many 
of the occupiers of the lands were turned out. The lands of Cremona were 
among those taken for this distribution, and it would seem that upon their 
not proving sufficient for the soldiers to whom they had been assigned, the 
adjoining district of Mantua (Cf. E. 9, 28), including Andes, was either taken 
possession of by the soldiers forcibly, or given to them in addition : in conse- 



104 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF ^^RGIL. 

quence of which Virgil was deprived of his estate. It is said that it was 
seized by a veteran named Claudius; that Asinius Pollio, who was then 
governor of Gallia Trauspadana, advised Virgil to apply to Octavianus at 
Eome for the restitution of his land, and that Octavianus granted his request. 
It is supposed that Virgil wrote the Eclogue which stands first in our edi- 
tions, to commemorate his gi'atitude to Octavianus Caesar for this favor. 
After the termination of the war of Perusia, Pollio fell for a time into disfavor 
with Octavianus, who sent Alfenus Varus to supplant him in the government 
of his province. A second division of lands now took place, and Virgil was 
again dispossessed, by a centurion named Arrius, who, on the poet's asserting 
his claim to the lands, drew his sword on him, and Virgil narrowly escaped 
with his life. It is said that upon this occasion also Virgil went to Eome, 
and there composed the ninth Eclogue, and that by the intercession of his 
friends, aided perhaps by his poetry, he again succeeded in recovering his 
farm. The Eclogues were written, at various intervals, between a. u. c. 711 
or 712 and 716 : see introduction to the notes on the Eclogues. 

The Georgica was undertaken at the suggestion of Maecenas; and from 
a. u. c. 717 to 724 (or 723 — 725, as others suppose), the poet dedicated his 
energies to the elaboration of this poem. There is reason to believe that it 
was written at Naples, where he had fixed his permanent abode on account 
of the climate. 

After completing the Georgics he devoted himself to the composition of his 
epic poem, the Aeneid; a work which he seems to have long contemplated, 
for he gives hints of such a design both in the Eclogues and the Georgics. 
(Cf. E. 6, 3 sq: G. 8, 46 — 48). Upon this poem he was engaged during eleven 
years, from a. u. c. 725 — 735, during the most of Avhich time he probably re- 
sided at Naples. After he had completed the rough-draft of his epic, he felt 
that a personal inspection of the scenes and manners of more eastern regions 
was indispensable to ensure propriety of description and truthfulness of color- 
ing in a work which dealt with topics so various and places so remote. He 
therefore undertook a journey into Greece and Asia Minor, intending to re- 
main in those countries for several years, and finally to revise the Aeneid 
previous to its publication. But while at Athens he met Augustus, who was 
returning from Samos, where he had spent the winter of B. C. 20, and Virgil, 
feeling perhaps more indisposed than usual, was persuaded by him to aban- 
don his intended tour, and he thereupon accompanied the emperor to Megara 
and thence to Italy. His health, which had been long declining, was now 
completely broken, and he died soon after his arrival at Brundisium, on the 
22d of September, B. C. 19 (a. u. c. 785), not having quite completed his 
fifty-first year. His remains vfere, by his own request, conveyed to Naples, 
and buried on the Via Puteolana, about two miles from that city. Donatus 
says that the inscription placed on his tomb, 

Mantua me genuit. Calabri rapuere, tenet nunc 
Parthenope. Cecini pascua, rura, duces, 

•was ^vritten by the poet himself; but this is improbable. It is said that in 



LIFE AND WRITINGS OF VIEGIL. 105 

his last illness he wished to burn the Aeneid, to which he had not given the 
finishing touches; that his friends would not allow him, and that after his death 
Augustus committed it to the poet's friends L. Varius and Plotius Tucca, 
with directions to revise and amend, but to make no additions whatever to 
it; and they are said to have made but very few and slight changes in the 
work; adding nothing to it, and leaving the unfinished verses as left by the 
poet. It is this emended edition of the poem which we possess at present. 

The poet had been enriched by the liberality of his patrons, and he left be- 
hind him a considerable property and a house on the Esquiline Hill, near the 
gardens of Maecenas. He employed his wealth liberally; and his library, 
which was doubtless a good one, was easy of access. He used to send his 
parents money every year. His father, who became blind, did not die before 
his son had attained a mature age. Two brothers of Virgil also died before 
him. Poetry was not the only study of Virgil, biit he applied himself also to 
agriculture and to medicine. His stature Avas tall, his complexion dark, and 
his appearance that of a rustic. He was modest ariS retiring, of a kind and 
amiable disposition, and in purity of moral character he compared favorably 
with the Romans of his day. In his fortunes and his friends Virgil was a 
happy man. Munificent patronage gave him ample means of enjoyment and 
of leisure; and he had the friendship of all the most accomplished men of the 
day, among whom Horace entertained a strong affection for him. His fame, 
which was established in his life-time, was cherished after his death, as an 
inheritance in which every Eoman had a share; and his works became 
school-books even before the death of Augustus, and continued such for cen- 
turies after. The learned poems of Virgil soon gave employment to com- 
mentators and critics. Aiilus Gellius has numerous remarks on Virgil, and 
Macrobius, in his Saturnalia, has filled four books (3 — 6), with his critical re- 
marks on Virgil's poems. 

Virgil borrowed freely, not only from the Greeks, but from the elder Latin 
poets, and even his contemporaries. His Eclogues are largely imitative of 
the Idyls of the Greek poet Theocritus, who flourished in the third century 
before the Christian era; but still, they differ much from the poems of the 
accomplished Sicilian, as well in subject as in treatment and in coloring, 
and though wanting the ease, grace and native simplicity of those Idyls, 
they are nevertheless most truthful echoes of Eoman feeling and sentiment, 
and most just representations of the manners and customs of the Italian rus- 
tics of that day. 

The " Works and Days" of Hesiod supplied the model for the great agri- 
cultural poem of Virgil, though the facts and principles set forth in it are 
largely borrowed from other sources, Greek as well as Latin. The Georgics 
are the most finished specimen of the Mantuan Muse, and display perhaps 
the greatest amount of independent thought, artistic arrangement and elegant 
embellishment. The skill of the poet and artist is wondrously displayed in 
this poem by the manner in which he assorts and arranges the stores of his 
knowledge, and adapts his precepts to Roman uses. No less remarkable are 
the judgment and taste with which he interweaves amidst didactic rules 



106 LIFE AND WE.ITINGS OF YIRGIL. 

those delightful episodes, that, by interest of story, beauty of sentiment and 
chanxi of language and of versification, remove the dryness and tedium of 
the subject. 

The Aeneid has been cast in a mould thoroughly Greek; its ideas, its plan 
and its ai-rangement, are derived from Greek sources. Homer especially is 
laid under heavy contributions, the Odyssey supplying matter for the first 
six books and the Iliad for the remainder ; and Virgil has also borrowed for 
this poem from ApoUonixTS Rhodius and other Alexandrines, and, among the 
Latins, from Naevius and Ennius. But a glance at the main incidents, as 
set forth in the Argument of each book of the Aeneid, will justify us in 
ascribing to Virgil a prolific genius and an extraordinary power of amplifi- 
cation. The poet's aim in this work was to exalt the Roman people and 
State and the Julian family, and to introduce into his epic notices, more or 
less extended, of all the most glorious events and noble characters in his 
country's histoiy. The expectations raised by Virgil's promise of an epic 
poem on a national subject were extremely high. It is said that Augustus 
was so anxious to see at least some part of it, that he wrote from Spain to 
the poet in the most pressing tenns, requesting him to send him, if no more, 
the first sketch of it, or even a single paragraph. This however Virgil de- 
clined doing, on account of the unfinished state of the work; but some time 
after he read certain portions of the poem to him, and among others the sixth 
book containing (vs. 862 sq.) the well-known allusion to the virtues of the 
youth Marcellus, who was cut off by a premature death. Octavia, Caesar's 
sister, is said to have been present when the poet was reciting this allusion 
to her son, and to have fainted from her emotions. She rewarded the poet 
munificently for his excusable flattery. But epic poetiy seems not to have 
been the forte of our poet ; and the Aeneid, when compared with the Iliad, 
wants the natural simplicity and^ quiet gi'andeur of that foremost of epics. 



p. VERGILI MARONIS BUCOLICON LIBER. 



The title BucoUca was probably given to these poems by Virgil himself; 
that of Ecloga is supposed to have been added by the grammarians. For the 
origin and import of these terms see the Lexicon. 

The Eclogues, according to Spohn, were composed in the following order: 



II. a. 


u. c. 711 or 


712. 


B. C 


. 43 or 42 


III. 


712. 




(( 


42. 


V. 


' 712. 




u 


42. 


I. 


713. 




u 


41. 


IX. 


714. 




(1 


40. 


IV. 


' 714. 




a 


40. 


VI. 


' 714. 




« 


40. 


VIII. 


715. 




u 


39. 


VII. ' 


716. 




u 


38. 


X. 


' 716. 




u 


38. 



It is probable that the Eclogues were collected and arranged in their pre- 
sent order by the poet himself; but that their titles were prefixed by others. 

ECLOGA I.— TITYRUS. 

ARGUMENT. 

The first Eclogue, entitled Tityrus, consists of a dialogue between two 
Italian shepherds, Tityrus and Meliboeus. Meliboeus is represented as leav- 
ing his native country and going into exile. While driving before him his 
tired and feeble flock, he meets with Tityrus, a neighboring shepherd, whom 
he finds quietly playing upon his pipe under the shade of a spreading beech, 
while the rest of his countrymen, like himself, were compelled by colonies 
of soldiers to yield up their cherished fields and homes and to flee to foreign 
lands. 

In reply to the enquiries of Meliboeus, Tityrus relates in what manner he 
obtained his liberty and his happy exemption from the common calamity 
with which his fellow countrymen were visited. Tityrus, as it appears, be- 
longed to that class of bondmen, who were employed by the wealthier 
Komans as husbandmen and shepherds. These frequently obtained their 
freedom by paying their masters an equivalent for their services. The mas- 
ter of Tityrus, we learn, resided at Eome, whither Tityrus, as he informs us, 
Avent, when now well advanced in years, for the purpose of obtaining his 
manumission. His journey having been crowned with success, he. speaks in 

107 



108 ECLOGA I. NOTES. 

very grateful terms of the kindness of his master, whom he resolves hence- 
forth to honor as a god. 

Such appears to be the outline of the subject assumed by the poet; but 
tinder this, as a kind of allegory, Virgil seems to have depicted his own for- 
tunes, and to have expressed his personal obligations to his imperial bene- 
factor, Caesar Octavianus, for protecting him in the enjoyment of his rural 
home near Mantua : — see the sketch of his Life. This allegorical meaning 
must not however be sought for in every part of the Eclogue ; for while in 
some passages it is easy to coziceive, that in the person of Tityrus Virgil him- 
self is speaking, yet it is only in his character of a shepherd and slave that 
Tityrus most frequently appears. 

NOTES ON THE FIRST ECLOGUE. 

1. Tu. The contrast between the lot of Meliboeus and that of Tityrus is 
marked by the use of tu distinctively in the first line and of nos in the third. 
Gr. § 209, R. 1. (&). So nos — tu, v. 4. — Fagi. The beech-tree is repeatedly 
mentioned by Virgil in connection with Mantua and with his rural posses- 
sions in the neighborhood of that city. See E. 2, 3; 3, 12; 9, 9: G. 4, 566. 
It has been said that at the present time it is not to be found in that region; 
but it is stated by Eustace, in his " Classical Tour through Italy," that " the 
' spreading beech ' still delights in the soil and adorns the banks of the Mincius 
in all its windings." Con. 

2. 5i7i"es;re??i iVJzisaTO, ' woodland lay,' ' pastoral song.' See in Lex. mwsa, 
II. A. Cf. Fistula silvestrem ne cesset fundere Mvsam. Lucr. 4, 589. In Italy 
the flocks and herds graze in the woodlands during the heats of siimmer. 

Wch. — Tenui arena, ' upon a slender pipe.' By what figure are avena here 
and calamus in the 10th line put for fistula f Gr. § 324. — Meditaris, ' art com- 
posing,' John, TTr., Foj-b., Con. ' art practising,' H. Cf. E. 6, 8 and 82. 

3. Painae, ' paternal farm,' ' home.' Cf. v. 68. — Fines. What is the prim- 
itive meaning of j^?2{s -^ What does it signify here V By what figure is the 
latter signification derived from the former? Gr. § 324, 

4. Lentus, ' at ease ' ; presenting a strong contrast Avith fugere. 

5. Eesonare Amaryllida. Amaryllis is a shepherdess beloved by Tityrus. 
Amaryllida, a Greek accusative from Amaryllis, idis, Gr. § 80, I. See also 
Gr. § 231, R. 3. (6). 

6. Deus, i. e. dominus Tityri. So far as Virgil here alludes to his own for- 
tunes, he distinguishes by the appellation of deus his benefactor Augustus. 
H. — Otia poetically for otiumy Gr. § 98. 

7. Mild deus, Gr. § 211, R. 5 and note ; 222, R. 8. N. ; 227, R. 4..—Illius, 
Gr. § 283, Exc. 4. 

8. Mark the poetic form of expression instead of the simple ei sacrificabo. 
E. Explain the difference between saepe in the text and its synonym 
crehro ; see these words in Lex. — Imhuet, scil. sanguine suo. Wr. — Nostris ab 
ovilibus. Tityrus, both before and after his manumission, seems to have occu- 
pied the place of steward or head servant, and hence speaks of his master's 
possessions as in some sense his own. Cf. E. 9, 2. Voss and Sp. 



ECLOGA I. — rNOTES. 109 

9. Errnre marks the movement of flocks and herds when roaming without 
constraint and feeding as they go. So Milton, as quoted by Martyn: 

" Russet lawns and fallows grey 

Where the nibbling flocks do stray.'''' — Ipsvm, soil, me, 
which is ipiplled in the preceding meas, Gr. § 206, (12). 

10. Ludere here corresponds exactly with the English ' to play,' i. e. to 
amuse oneself with performing. — Quae vellem. Eepeat the grammar rule for 
the mood of vellem. — Permisit, Gr. § 273, 4. 

11. Equidem, see Gr. § 191, R. 4. With verbs of what person is equidem 
commonly joined '? See Lex. — Invideo, scil. tibl. — Magis=potius, 'rather'. 

12. Usque adeo, ' so greatly,' ' to such a degree.' The clause undique iotis, 
etc. assigns the reason for the expression miivr magis, and in prose would be 
introduced by nam, ' for,' or quum, ' since.' — Turbatur, impers. ' there is con- 
fusion.' See in Lex. under tm-bo, B. II, and Gr. § 184, 2. (6). — Ipse . . . aeger, 
Gr. § 205, R. 1. 

13. Aeger, scil. curis et solUcitudine, ' sick at heart.' Cf. A. 1, 208 ; 4, 35. — 
Ago is opposed to eiTare (v. 9), and marks the contrast in the condition of the 
flocks of Meliboeus and Tityrus. — Vix, 'with difliculty ', she is so weak. K. 

14. Mark the position of namque placed poetically so far from the begin- 
ning of the clause. See namque in Lex. and Gr. \ 279, 3 (a) and (e). 

15. Spem, in a concrete signification, see Lex. B. 2. — Every word in this 
line marks the tender concern of the shepherd for his flock, and his grief on 
account of their sufferings. — Reliquit; this would seem to intimate that the 
kids were born dead, or died soon after their birth; for kids and lambs can 
walk as soon as they ai-e born, and Meliboeus would probably have carried 
them sooner than leave them to die of hunger. K. 

16. Si mens non laeva fuisset. An apodosis seems here to be implied rather 
than expressed, such as, quod nos mo7iuisset, si, etc. S. & Z. 

17. De caelo tactas. Pomponius says, on the authority of lost works of 
the grammarians, that the striking of fruit-bearing trees by lightning, was an 
omen of evil; that of the olive foreboding baiTenness, and that of the oak 
banishment. If this could be established, it would fix the malum hoc to be 
Meliboeus' exile, v. 4, not the loss of the goat's twins. Con. — Praedicere. See 
respecting this use of the present infinitive, Gr. § 268, R. 1, (a). 

18. Praedixit, scil. hoc malum; but this line is not found in the best manu- 
scripts, and is commonly considered spurious. Cf. E. 9, 15. 

19. Sed tamen, more emphatically than either of these particles separately, 
marks a transition to another subject. In the present case they mark a return to 
what had been said by Tityrus respecting the kindness of his master, vs. 6-10. 
Cf. G, 1, 79. Wr. — Iste has its usual reference to the person addressed, ' that of 
yours.' See Lex. and Gr. § 207, R. 25. — Qui sit: see E. 2, 19, note. Why is sit 
put in the subjunctive ? — J)a, i. e. ede, die, edissere. H. See also do, B. 6, in Lex. 

20. Urbem quam, etc. Tityrus, instead of answering directly Avho the deity 
is, deviates into a description of Rome, which diflfers, he says, not merely in 
size, but in kind from other cities. 

10 



110 



ECLOGA I. NOTES. 



21. Huic nostrae, sc. urhi, i. e. Mantua, wliich was about three miles from 
Andes, our poet's native village. Forb. 

22. Paslores^ in apposition -with nos understood. — Ofium teneros fetus, Gr. 
§ 323, 2, (4). — Depellere, ' to drive down.' The lambs are here said depelli, 
to be driven down, because they were driven to Mantua from higlier ground, 
for Andes was upon a mountain, at the foot of which was Virgil's farm, and 
Mantua was situated in a valley. Cf E. 9, 7. Sp., Jahn, Fwb. Depellere is 
also frequently used for the removal of young animals from the dam in wean- 
ing. SeeE. 3, 82; 7, 15. 

25. Fe/'Mm. Eespecting the different position of verum and vero when 
used as corroborative adversative particles, see these words in Lex. and Gr. 
§ 279, 3, (a) and (c). — ExtuUt has a present fovce=elatum fierit. Con, 

26. Viburna. The viburnum is a pliant shrub used for binding fagots, 
etc. H. 

27. Et here introduces an emphatic question, denoting curiosity and sur- 
prise, Forb. : see et in Lex. IL 7. — Tibi. Gr. § 226. 

28. Libertos, Gr. § 204, R. 11. — Sera, i. e. quainquam sero, Foi-b. — Liertem, 
soil. me. What Tityrus means by the term iiiers, he shows in v. 32, sq. 
where he speaks of his former negligence in adding to his peculium or private 
property. 

29. Candidior .... cadebat refers to the age of Tityrus, who in v. 47 is 
called senex. Sp. There is a peculiar appropriateness in thus indicating his 
age, because those who were man.umitted shaved their beards, which while 
slaves they had permitted to grow. Fo?-b. — Tondenti, scil. m'lhi. Respecting 
the time denoted by this participle see Gr. § 274, 2; in regard to its transla- 
tion see Gr. § 274, 3, [a) and note 2, (a); and for its construction see Gr. § 211, 
R. 5, (1). 

31. Posiquam, ' since.' — Habet, Gr. ^ 145, T. 2. For the meaning of habet 
in this connection, which is similar to tenebat in v. 32, see habeo, K. in Lex. — 
Amaryllis, it appears, had become the contubernalis of Tityrus after Galatea, 
who had formerly occupied tlie same place, had left him. It was the custom 
of the Romans to give their slaves companions of the other sex. K.x see con- 
tubernium and contuberncdis in Lex. and in Adam's Roman Antiquities. 

33. Peculi, Gr. § 52 ; 322, 5. This is the form in Virgil of genitives of 
nouns in ius and ium. Wr. 

34. Malta, the sing, used poetically for the plur. : see the word in Lex. — 
Victima is used in speaking of an animal of larger size, as a calf; hostia of a 
smaller animal, as a lamb, Fronto de Differentia Vocnbidorvm. 

35. Pinguis et. FA is placed last, because pinguis is specially emphatic. 
Jalin. — Ingratae. Tityrus Avith comic peevishness calls the city ungrateful, 
because it did not pay him enough for the cherished productions of his farm 
to enable him to supply the exorbitant demands of Galatea and to carry 
home a handsome simi to add to his pevnVmm. Jalin. 

36. Mild dextiu redibat, Gr. § 211, R. 5, (l)='my right hand returned.' 

37. Meliboeus says that he now comprehends, what he had been wonder- 
ing at, why Amaryllis was so sad, and why she left the fruit hanging, each 



ECLOGA I. NOTES. Ill 

on its own tree. K. — Mirahar, ' I used to wonder.' — QwiJ, Gr. § 235, R. 11. — 
Amarylli, Gr. § 81, E. Observe what aiiimatiou is given to the sentence by 
the address to Amaryllis, as if present. Forb. — Explain the mood of weaves. 

39. Aherat has its final syllable long by caesura, Gr. § 309, 2, (1). — 
Ipsae pliius, ' the very pines.' The various parts of nature called him hack, 
because 'all sutlered from his absence, pines (cf. E. 7, 65), springs (cf. E. 2, 59; 
5, 40), and orchards all depending on his care. Gun. 

41. Quid facertm, Gi\ § 260, R. 5. — Tityrus urges the necessity of his 
visit to Rome notwithstanding the grief thereby occasioned to Amaryllis. — 
StrvUo exire, i. e. liberari. 

42. Praesentes—jjropliius, fnventes, H, : see in Lex. pi^aesens, E. under 
praesum. — Ahbl belongs also to v. 41. Forb. 

43. ITic, i. 6. m hue urbe, soil. Roma. — Ilium juvenem, i. e. the master of 
Tityrus, the same whom in the sixth verse he calls deus. If we regard Vh-gil 
as here alluding to his own fortunes, ilk juvenis must be understood of Caesar 
Octavianus, by whom his possessions had been restored. See note to v. 6. 
Caesar was at this time about twenty-two years old. 

44. Tityrus had already conmienced offering monthly sacrifices to his 
"master as one of his domestic Lares, either at the Kalends, Ides or Nones. — 

Senas, poetically for sex. Gr. § 120, 4:.— Nostra, Gr. § 209, R. 7, (6). 

45. Primus denotes the anxiety with which the response was sought, Con., 
=idemum, tandem, Wr. 

46. Pueri, ' my lads.' K. i. e. vernae, servl, H. — Submiitite tauros, * rear,' 
or 'raise' for breeding, alere ad gre(jem supplendam. H., Wr., Con., Lade.'. 
see summ'Mo, I. A. 2 in Lex.: Servius and some others would supply y?«^o, and 
explain it of subjecting the bullocks to the yoke. 

47. Tua . . . manehunt, ' will remain yours.' The expression is derived from 
a judicial formula, tua, a predicate adjective, (Gr. § 210, R. 1 and R. 3, (2),) 
being tlie emphatic word, rather than manebunt. Cf. E. 9, 4 and 3, 23. Wr., 
Forb., Ldde. According to Ileyne maaebunt, scil. tibi, i. e. non eriplentur. 

48. Ft, see the word in Lex. II. 6. — Quamvis lapis omnia nudus, etc. This 
descri})tion of barren and desolate pastures is by some commentators referred 
to the neglected fields of the veteran soldiers, whose possessions adjoined those 
of Tityrii:<; by others {Sp., Wr., Forb.) more correctly, to the pastures of 
Tityrus (or Virgil) liimself. X^irgil's farm is described as situated partly at 
the foot of a rocky mountain and partly on the bank of the river Mincius, 
which overflowiiig formed stagnant marshes. S2). The description may have 
been made less liattering than the truth would have wairanted, either for the 
purpose of showing that Virgil was contented with little, or that the posses- 
sions taken from the soldier were not of much value. Sp. Omnia, the whole 
farm; not to be taken with p)nscua. Con. 

49. Limoso, ' slimy,' i. e. gui in solo limoso nasci solei. Wr. 

50. Graves=lav(/uidas, aegras, //., see in Lex. I. B. S.—Feias=e7iixas, 
partu liberatas, H., see in Lex. B. II. In this and in the following line Meli- 
boeus contrasts the exposure of his own flock, driven from place to place, with 
the security of that of Tityrus. — Tentabutit, ' injure,' ' harm.' 



112 ECLOGA I. NOTES. 

52. The connection of this line with the two preceding implies the omission 
of the adversative particle secL Wr. — Inter Jlamina noia, 'amid the well- 
known ' or ' familiar streams.' Fluminn^ according to some commentators, 
the small streams crossing his farm: Heyne and Jahn understand it to mean 
the Mincius and the Po: according to Wagner it is put for Jlumen, i. e. the 
Mincitis, and bj'" inter flumina he supposes the poet to mean, among the trees 
by the river. 

53. Sacros, so called because mythology assigned to every spring a divin- 
ity. — Frigus qpacum, i. e. frigus loci qpaci. Cf. E. 2, 8. — OqMahis, ' 3^ou will 
seek.' 

54. nine tibi, etc. Construe : Bine, a victno liinite, sepes Hyhlaeis ajnhus 
Jlwem salicti depasta, saepe tibilevi susurro suadehit, quae semper, somnum inirej 
i. e. — shall lull you to sleep as it has ever done. Quae semper, as Weise sug- 
gests, is an elliptical relative clause in the sense of ut semper, (E. 6, 15), like 
quae proximo, litora, A. 1, 157; and quae is here used for the corresponding ad- 
verb quemadraodum, like quo, A. 1, 8, for quomodo, siquem, ib. 181, for sieubi, 
Con. Wr. explains it, quae semper depasta (est). Vicino ab limile serves as a 
kind of apposition to, or more precise designation of the import of hine, *on 
this side, where is the neighboring boundary.' Cf. Mc ad veteresfagos, E. 3, 12: 
hue . . . caeco lateri, A. 2, 18, Wr. Ab limile, see ab in Lex. A. 5. 

55. Ilyblaeis apibus. The adjective Hyblaeis is to be considered in this 
connection as merely a poetical ornament, an epitheton ornans. In intro- 
ducing the name of an animal, implement, natural product, etc., the Latin 
poets often thus qualify it by an adjective of a people or place, foreign to the 
subject and scenery of the poem, but among which people, or in which place, 
the thing spoken of is to be found either in great abundance or of exeellent 
quality. And frequently, by the use of such adjective, excellence in a thing 
is denoted. This practice is \Qrj common with Virgil. Cf..E. 10, 59: 
G. 3, 345. Wr., Forb., K. — Florem is the Greek or limiting accusative, Gr. 
§ 234, IL and E. 1 and 2. — Dejxista might very well be used for depasta est, 
but depasta est could not be used for depascitur, Con. — Salicti for stdicist. 
The willow served the double purpose of a fence for the crops and a pasture 
for the bees. Sp. 

56. Levi susui'ro ' gentle murmur,' from the bees and the leaves. Con. 

57. Hinc corresponds to the same word in v. 54, and as the former liinc was 
defined more exactly by vicino ab limite, so this is in like manner defined by 
(dta sub riipe. Wr. Hinc — hinc, see in Lex. hinc, I. B. — Frondutor. The various 
and multiplied labors of the vine-dresser are detailed in G. 2, 365, sq., 400, 
407,410; E. 2, 70; 9,60. — Canet ad auras, 'send forth to the air his song,' 
'fill the air with his song.' Con. 

58. Nee iamen. The singing of the vine-dresser in the vineyard does not 
iiiterrupt the song of the wood-pigeons in the forest nor of the turtle-doves in 
the elms.— ^Mrt euro, 'your delight.' Cf. E. 10, 22, Wr., Con. 

59. CcMc/'c, 'to coo.' The Romans kept turtle-doves on their farms, Con. 

60. Ante, 'sooner': see in Lex. IL B. 2. — Frgo, i. e. on account of these 



ECLOGA I. NOTES. 113 

favors confeired on me by my master. — Pascentur. TitjTus compares the 
possibility of his forgetting his benefactor to other events that are impossible, 
viz. stags flying in the air, fishes living on dry land, and two nations migrat- 
ing, each to the country of the other. Jalin. 

61. jpestituent with nudos. The context shows the thought to be that the 
fishes when thrown on shore shall begin to live as land animals, Con. 

62. Amborum, of both nations, i. e. Germanorum et Parthorum. Serv. 

63. Aut Ararim. The Arar is a river of Gaul, not of Germany: its 
source, however, in the high land connected with the Vosges, is not very far 
from Alsace, which in and before Virgil's time, as now, was inhabited by 
Germans. Sometimes also the ancients confounded the Germans and Celts, 
Con. Concerning the import of the phrase Jtumen bibere, see biSo in Lex. 
4, g. — Germanin. The name of a country is frequently used for that of its 
inhabitants. Forb. 

64. Lnbatur ('glide' 'pass away,' i.e. 'be effaced') jsec fore. Labor is 
construed either with or without a preposition. Ante quam labatur. Gr. § 263, 
3. — Jllius, see note on ilium juvenem, v. 43. 

65. Nos is used with emphasis to intimate the contrast between the peace- 
ful repose of Tityrus and the general perplexity and distress of his exiled 
countrymen. The wide dispersion of the exiles is denoted by the remote- 
ness of the places to which they were banished, — to Africa on the south, to 
Scythia on the north, on the east to Crete, and on the west to Britain. — 
Nos — alii— pars; see Gr. § 204, R. 10. — Afros — Scyihlam — Oaxen — Britannos, 
Gr. § 237, R. 5, (a). 

66. Pars Scythinm et rapidwn . . . Oaxen, i. e. pars ScytJiiam et pars rapi- 
dum . . . Oaxen; et — et being here equivalent to alii — alii. Cf. A. 1, 701; 
Dant famuli manibus lymphas, Cereremque canistris expedlunt, tonsisque ferunt 
manttiia villis. Wr. 

67. Toto dicisos orbe Britannos. The world of the ancients, orbis or orbis 
iei^^aruni, was bounded by the surrounding ocean, and hence Britain, situated 
out in this ocean, is said to lie beyond the limits of the world. — Divisos orbe, 
Gr. § 251. 

68. En tu7igua7n=ecquando, Festus; 'ever indeed,' 'ah ever,' — used in 
interrogations to express a strong emotion, as of desire, grief or indignation, 
Ha7id. in Tursell. 2, p. 371, sq. Cf E. 8, 7, and see en in Lex. 2, h.— Fines 
depends on videris. 

69. Tuguri. Cf. pecuU, v. 33. — Comjestum caespite culmen, i. e. conyesto 
caespite exstructum. Forb. 

70. Post=posthac, //., Wr., a repetition of the idea expressed by Ion go post 
tempore. — Aliquot mirabor, etc., ' shall I see with wonder a few ears of corn': 
aliquot aristas in apposition to patrios fines and tuguri culmen, niea regna to 
aliquot aristas. Two feelings are mingled in Meliboeus' question, a longing to 
return to his home, and a reflection that should he ever do so he will proba- 
bly find it impoverished. Con. Some commentators take p)Ost to be a prep, 
and aristas for messes and that for annos. See Gr. § 324, 6. 

10* 



114 ECLOGA II. NOTES. 

72. Barharus refers to the Gauls and other foreigners who were found at 
that period in the Koman legions. H. — Quo, ' to what a condition ' ! 

73. Produxit^adduxit, 'has brought.' Wr.— Quis=quibus, 'for whom'! 
*for whose benefit ' 1 Gr. § 136, E. 2. 

74. This verse is ironical. H. — Insere may signify either 'to plant' or 'to 
engraft,' but the latter is to be prefen-ed. — Piros, ' your pears,' i. e. your 
fruit-trees, the species being put for the genus. K. — Pone m^dine v'Ues, i. e. in 
the quincunx order, see quincunx in Lex. and cf. G. 2, 277. 

75. Ite—ite. Gr. § 324, 13. 

76. Viridi antro, i. e. covered with green moss. Wr. 

78. Me pascente^^me pastore, not that the goats feed from his hand, Co7i. 

80. Meliboeus now turns to go away and pursue his melancholy journey, 
but Tityrus invites him to stop and spend the night with him. K. ; see v. 75. — 
Poteras, 'you might,' ' you might as well.' Gr. § 259, R. 3, and (6). Perhaps 
the account of the idiom is that it treats the time for action as almost gone 
by, the wrong determination as almost formed, and so implies iirgency to 
change the one and overtake the other. Con. Cf. Ov. Met. 1, 679 (562 Andrews' 
edition) : Hoc mecum poteras considere saxo. 

81. Nobis. Gr. § 209, R. 7, (i); 210, R. 3, (1); 226. 

82. Castaneae molles. Holies, ' mealy,' i. e. when they are roasted. Con. 
But Sp. and Wr. explain it by dulces, suaves. — Pressi copia lactis. Lac pres- 
sum, i. e. caseus, because the whey was pressed out of the curdled milk. //. 
Cf. V. 35. 

83. Summa, Gr. § 205, R. 17. — Fumant. The smoke was issuing from the 
cottages where the evening meal was preparing. Voss, Sp. 

84. Majoresque . . . umbrae; cf. E. 2, 67. 



ECLOGA n.— ALEXIS. 

This is the first of all the Eclogues written by Virgil, it having been com- 
posed B. C. 42. The poet had seen, in the house of Asinius Follio, (the 
governor of Gallia Transpadana), a youth named Alexander, who acted as 
cup-bearer, and he formed for him the same attachment as Socrates, Plato, 
and others manifested to handsome boys. In the poem he bears the name 
of Alexis, Virgil that of the Shepherd Corydon, and Asinius that of lollas. 
Pollio, charmed with this poem, presented Alexander to Virgil. By him he 
was carefully educated and became a grammarian. Virgil has transferred 
many things into this poem from Theocritus. S. and Z., from Wr. 

NOTES ON THE SECOND ECLOGUE. 

1. Ardere is construed with the object of affection in the abl. without a 
prep., in the abl. with in, or with the ace, Gr. § 232, 2; see Lex. — Alexis, is 
or idis^ xq.. Alexim—delicias, Gr. § 204, R. 3. 



ECLOGA II. NOTES. 115 

2. Domini, i. e. of lollas the master of Alexis, for Coiydon himself appears 
to have been free. Cf. v. 19, ?q. — Nee, quid speraret, habebat, i. e. omnia ei 
circumspicienii nusguam apparebat ulla spes, ' and apparently had no hope,' 
' knew not what to hope for.' If guod had been used instead of quid, the 
meaning would have been, ' he had no ground whatever for hope.' Wr., Forb. 
See Gr. § 265. 

3. Uiiibrosa cacuraina. Wagner and othei's, who separate these words from 
the rest of the sentence by commas, consider cacumina as in apposition to 
fagos : Sp., Jahn and Foi'b., on the contrary, make umbrosa cacumina the 
Greek accusative. Cf E. 9, 9. 

4. Incondita, scil. carmina. 

5. Jactabat. See in Lex. II. D. 

6. Nihil or nil, when used as an adverb, like a strengthened nan, may be 
variously translated, as by ' not ' before the verb, and ' at all,' after it, etc. 

7. Nil. Gr. § 232, (3). — Nostri. For the distinction in the use of nostrum 
and nostri, see Gr. § 209, E. 7, {b). — Mori. For the various constructions of 
cogo in its tropical sense, see Lex. — Denique, see in Lex. I. 2. 

8. Nunc etiam, etc. ; thoiigh the heat of the summer's day is now most 
intense, so that even all the animals are seeking for shady and cool places, 
I unwearied follow thy footsteps. Forb. — Umbras eifrigora, for umbras frigidas, 
Gr. § 323, 2, (3). Cf G. 2, 192; A. 1, 648, pallam signis auroque rigentem. 

9. Spineta. Gr. § 100, 7. 

10. Thestylis, the name of a female servant. She is represented as prepar- 
ing the moretum, or a similar dish. The name Thestylis, like that of Cory- 
don, Tityrus, etc., is borrowed from Theocritus. 

11. Olenies is to be taken in a middle sense, ' strong-scented,' ' odorous.' 

12. Mecum, i. e. me cantante, ' while I sing.' H. What is added, of the 
singing of the cicadae, marks emphatically the time of day, since these insects 
sing only at mid-day, while the heat is most intense. Wr. 

14. Nonne fuit satins. Respecting this use of the indicative mood, see Gr. 
§ 259, R. 3 and {a).— Iras. Gr. § 98. 

15. Nonne Menalcan, scil. pati, i. e. Menalcae fastidia. He contrasts the 
scorn of Alexis with that of his two former favorites, and anticipating an 
objection to Menalcas, as being less beautiful than Alexis, he makes in the 
next lines a sort of apology for dark beauty, Con. Others explain it, Menal- 
can pati, ' to put up with ' — i. e. though he was swarthy. 

16. C^uami'/s, 'hovvever,' qualifies the two adjectives, ' black ' and ' fair,» 
Con.— Esses, Gr. § 323, 1, (2), (c). 

17. Ne crede. Gr. ^ 267, E. l.— Colori, see in Lex. I. 2, b. 

18. Cadunt, ' fall neglected,' ' are left to fall,' i. e. are not gathered. — 
Vaccinia. According to Euaeus, Voss, Heyne, Daubeny and others, the vac- 
cinium is ' the hyacinth,' the word being only a corruption of vdKivdos, i. e. 
Jiyacinihus ; it is not the same however with our ' hyacinth ' : see hyacinihus 
in Lex. Martyn reckons it to be the Martagon, and perhaps the Imperial 
Martagon, and Salmasius pronounces it the gladiolus. According to Freund 



116 ECLOGA II. NOTES. 

and others it is not a flower but a shrub, the bilbeny or bleaberry, a species 
of whortlebeiTy. 

19. Despectus^ part. adj. — Nee, qui sim, quaeris. Quls and qui can each be 
employed, both in direct and in indirect questions, but with a diversity in 
their signification. Quis is used when the enquiry relates to the name of a 
person or thing, qui when its quality is the object of enquirj'-. Nee, quis sim, 
quaeris, accordingly would mean, ' nor do you enquire who I am,' that is, by 
what name I am called, qtii sim on the contrary means, ' what kind of person 
I am,' i. e. what is my character or position in society, or as Corydon himself 
explains it in the next line, Quavi dives j)ecoris, etc. It is evident from this 
line that Corydon could not have been, as some have imagined, the fellow 
servant of Alexis. 

20. Tell the different constructions of dives, for which see Lex. and Gr. 
§ 213, R. 5, (3). — Tell the difference of meaning between ^>ecMS, oris and pecus 
wrfts.— What is the usual construction of abimdo ? What part of speech is 
abundans ? Gr. § 213. 

21. To ingratiate himself with Alexis he first boasts of his rustic wealth. — 
MiUe meae . . . agnae, ' a thousand lambs of mine,' not ' a thousand of my 
lambs.' Fork Gr. § 205, R. 16, (a) and {c).—Siculis. As in this Eclogue he 
imitates Theocritus, the scene of whose Idj^ls is laid in Sicil}', Virgil places 
his shepherd in the same country. — Errant, see on E. 1, 9. 

22. 31ihi, Gr. § 226, R. 2. 

23. He next speaks of his skill in music— Quae, Gr. § 206, (3), (a).— 
Soliius, scil. erat cantare. — Si qiiando, ' if ever,' i. e. ' whenever.' — Armenia 
voeare signifies ' to call back,' ' to collect ' or ' call together the herd,' as 
is done by the herdsman, especially at evening, that he may drive them 
home. H. 

24. Amphion, etc. See each of these nouns and adjectives in Eex. — 
Actaeo, Gr. § 305, (2). 

25. Nee sum adeo informis. Finally Corydon speaks of his own personal 
attractions. — Adeo, see in Lex. 2. adeo, B. 3. — In litore, i. e. stans in litore 
imaginem meavi in undis eonspexi, Forb. 

26. Plneidum ventis, i. q. venfis placatum, stratum, ' smoothed by the winds.' 
Wr. The smoothing of the surface of the sea is here attributed to the winds, 

though in reality occasioned by their ceasing to blow. Cf. A. 5, 763, placidi 
straveruni aequora venti. 

27. Judice te, Gr. § 261, R. 4. 

28. Tantum=ziantummodu ; see in Lex. tantus, II. B, — Libeat, Gr. § 263, 1; 
223, R. 2, note (6). — Sordida, 'plain,' 'humble,' corresponding with humiles 
casas, V. 29. These epithets are used in distinction from the costly elegance 
of city life. Sp. 

29. Figere eervos, ' to transfix,' ' to pierce ' ; see in Lex. I. B. and cf. 
^fgere diimas, G. 1, SOS; Jigit columbam, A. 5, blQ; Jixeril cervam, A. 6, 803, 
IL, Burm. 

30. Compellere hibisco, dat. for ad hibiseum, R. and ff. : see Gr. § 225, IV. 
R. 2 The hibiscus is an esculent plant and good for pasture, Jahn. Here, 



ECLOGA II. NOTES. 117 

as in E. 10, 71, a tough but flexible stem is attributed to this plant; and ac- 
cording to Columella, the ^pbers of the marsh mallow are so tough that in 
Spain they were beaten out like hemp, and were used in the fabrication of 
coarse stuffs. Dauheny. 

32. Pan primus. For the story of Pan's invention of the shepherd's pipe, 
see Ovid's Met. 1, 689, — Plures, see in Lex. mvltus, II. B. 2, and Jistula^ 
II. 2. 

33. Ovium magistros, i. e. pastores: ct pecoris magistro, E. 3, 101. H. 

34. Poeniteat=pigeat. 11. The subjunctive here, as in libealj v. 28, ex- 
presses a wish, JnJm: see Gr. § 260, R. 6. — Trivisse lahellum. The reeds 
were moved backwards and forwards upon the lip, while the performer was 
playing upon them. 

35. Haec eadem, sc. carmina. The antecedent is contained in canendo, 
V. 31. K. — Quid non faciebat^ i. e. omnia fecit. Corydon represents the shep- 
herd Amyntas as having exerted himself to the utmost, but in vain, to ac- 
quire the same skill which he himself possessed in playing upon the shep- 
herd's pipe, and which he offers to impart to Alexis. 

36. Septem cicutis. The pipe seems to have been composed of seven 
reeds, and sometimes of nine or of a greater number: see Theocritus Idyl. 
8, 18, and Ovid. Met. 13, 784. These reeds were joined together with wax. — • 
Cicutis, i. e. canivis, 'reeds,' //. : cf. cavas injiare cicutns, Lucr. 5, 1383. Virgil 
does not seem to allude to a poisonous plant, in the only two places in which 
he mentions the cicuta ; see E. 5, 85 ; and the word seems to be used for 
several umbelliferous plants, as well as for cicuta vlrosa, or conium macidaium, 
the two poisonous plants, with one or other of which it is usually identified. 
Daubemj. 

37. Damoetas, the name of a shepherd, Avho, it appears, Avas greatly dis- 
tinguished for his skill in playing on the pipe. The name, like most of the 
names of shepherds mentioned in the Bucolics, is derived from the Idyls of 
Theocritus.— Z>ono, Gr. § 227, and R. 1. 

38. Te nunc habet ista secundum, i. e. cnnendi arte mild secundum. This ex- 
pression denotes the judgment of Damoetas respecting the rank of Corydon 
as a musician. Cf. cdter ah illo, E. 5, 49. Voss., Wr. 

39. Dixit Damoetas. These words are repeated for the purpose of giving 
weight to the opinion by a consideration of the dignity of the distinguished 
musician who pronounced it. Wr. Such repetitions also, as Jahn remarks, 
savor of Epic poetry, and are of most frequent occurrence in the poems of 
Homer. Cf. G. 4, 445, 446: A. 1, 76—80; 459—463; 595—610. 

40. IVec tuta. He studies to enhance the value of the gift by alluding to 
the danger that had attended the procuring of it. — Mihi re2)erti, Gr. § 225, II. 
Cf. Ov. Met. 13, 834, sq. 

41. Sparsls etiam nunc pellibus cdbo. The skin of the wild goat is marked 
with white spots, which remain until the goat is about six months old, TFcA., 
and which are then changed to brown, according to Servius, or perhaps 
wholly disappear, like those found on the beautiful faAvn of the American 
deer. 



118 ECLOGA II. NOTES. 

42. Die, i. e. qmtidie ; cf. E. 3, 34. Bunn.—Bina, see Gr. § 120, 4, (a) 

43. Jam prtdeiii, ' for a long time.' The present, orat, with jam pi^idem, 
denotes au action that has existed for some time and that still exists ; Gr. 
§ 145, I. 2. — Abducere oral, i. e. orat ut sibi llceat abducere. The inf. after 
verbs of longing, desiring, asking, and such like, usually refers to him who is 
requested to do something, but here and in A. 6, 313, it applies to him who 
begs to be allowed to do something. Forb., Bryce. — Thesfylis, cf. v. 10. 

44. £t fadet. Et here introduces a threat, ' and in fact,' ' and my word 
for it she will do it.' Wr. Cf. ei II. 6, in Lex. He says faciei rather than 
dabo^ that he may not offend Alexis by seeming to consent to their appropria- 
tion by Thestylis. Sp. 

45. Hue ades, Gr. § 267. — ^In addition to the gifts already named, Corydon 
now offers flowers and fruits to Alexis. As Spohn remarks, we are not to 
understand the poet as meaning that all these flowers, etc. can be gathered at 
harvest time, v. 10; but as speaking generally of pi'oductions of the country, 
including such as belong to different seasons of the year. 

46. For the form of the calathus, see that word in Lex. 

47. PallenteSj ' yellow ' ; see pallens. A, 2, a, in Lex. — Violas. According 
to Martyn and Forb. the viola is ' the stock-gilliflower ' or ' wall-flower ' ; 
according to Heyne, 'the violet.' — Summa pajxivera, 'the heads of poppies',* 
supposed by jMartyn to be the wild poppy with red flowers. //. 

48. Bene: see be72e, 3 in Lex. under bojius. 

49. Casia, according to Martyn, is the plant that is otherwise called cneoron 
or tliymelaea: see these words and casia^ 2. in Lex. — Intexens herbis, scil. 
violas et rcligua. H. 

50. 3IoUia, i.e. tenera; cf. E. 5, 38; 6, 53. H. — Piiigit, 'embellishes,' 
'sets off.' — Vaccinia^ see above, v. 18 and note. 

51. Cana 7nala, i. e. mala Cydonia sen cvtonia: see Cydonius under Cydonia 
in Lex. — Legam, ' will pick,' 'gather'; cf. Y.. 3, 70; 8, 38. 

52. Mea Amaryllis ; see v. 14. 

53. Cerea j^ruiia are opposed to nigra and purjmrea, Jahn. So Pliny. 
H. N. 15, 13, says: sunt et nigra pruna ac laudaiiora cerina: Wr. — Hoiios erit, 
etc., ' this fruit also shall be honored,' i. e. si a te dilecium fuerit, Serv. Pomo, 
i. e. prim's. 

54. Proxima myrte. The myrtle is said here to be pi-oxima, because it 
was to be placed in the calaihus next to the leaves of the laurel. Horace con- 
nects the myrtle and the laurel in the same manner, Od. 3, 4, 19. H. The 
reason of this connection is given in the next vei'se. Wr. 

56. i^HA^u z/5, besides its proper meaning of a 'rustic ' or ' clown,' seems 
here to imply also the idea of folly or weakness on the part of Corydon in 
imagining that he could gain the affection of Alexis by such presents. Wr. 
Tln-onghout the whole Eclogue Corydon seems to atti-ibute to Alexis a taste 
for the refinements and elegances of the city: see vs. 28 — 34; 56 — 62. 

57. Ceries — conccdat. Jahn defends the subjunctive both in the prota- 
sis and the apodosis, since CorN-don does not represent either fact as cer- 
tain. He is in doubt whether to present his rustic gifts (see v. 56), and, 



ECLOGA II. NOTES. 119 

should he present them, he doubts whether lollas will consent to be outdone 
by him in the magnitude or elegance of his presents. — lollas, the master of 
Alexis ; cf. V. 2. 

58. Quid volui misero mild, ' what have I been after ' or ' been about, 
wretcli that I am ' : Gr. \ 228, note (b). — Floribus austrum perdiius — immisi, 
etc. These, according to Voss, are proverbial expressions implying great 
folly and even madness on the part of one who acts so absurdly. Corydoa 
charges himself with a like folly in the indulgence of his passion for Alexis, 
by which he had been greatly injured in his affaii'S, cf. v. 70; but imme- 
diately after this he relapses into passionate expressions of affection. Wr.— 
Avstrum. The hot, dry south wind or Sirocco blowing upon the flowers 
would cause them to wilt and perish. Folly akin to that of an exposure of 
flowers to such a wind is denoted by liqiddis immisi fontibus apros. 

59. Perdiius, ' desperately in love ' ; hence ' madly,' ' foolishly ' : cf. E. 
8, 88. 

60. Fugis, scil. Alexl. — Di. He commends a rural life by the considera- 
tions that the gods loved the woods and that the Trojan prince lived as a 
shepherd on ]\Iount Ida: nor is he moved to prefer a city life by the example 
of Minerva, who founded the city of Athens, i. e. he prefers the country 
to the noblest of cities. — Quern fucjis, cf. on v. 19. 

61. Quas condidit, i. e. condere docuit. Wr. Athens was the only city that 
!Minerva founded. Con. — Arces, a citadel or city sun'ounded and shut in by 
walls, is well contrasted by Corydon with the free and open country. Wr. 

62. Colat, i. e. incolat, Wr. The meaning is, ' let Pallus inhabit her own 
citadels, but let us prefer,' etc. 

63. In this and the two following lines he compares the instinctive im- 
pulses and propensities of animals to the passion which prompts him to seek 
the love of Alexis. 

65. Alexl; see Metrical Key and Gr. § 305, (1), E. — Sua quernque, Gr. 
§ 279, 14. 

66. Jugo, ' on the yoke ' : jugo, according to Spohn, Wr., and Forb., is 
connected in construction with referunt, not with susjiensa. — Referuni, i. e. 
domwn ferunt. Sp. — Suspcnsa, ' suspeiided,' so as not to touch the ground. 
Sp. 

67. Et sol crescentes, etc. Cf. PL 1, 84. — Decedens, scil. de caelo ; cursu per 
caelum paene confecio. Forb. : and see in Lex. decedo, I. 3, b. 

68. 3fe tamen urit amor, i. e. though the declining day and all things 
around invite to rest, I alone enjoy no respite or repose. 

69. Corydon, Corydon, Gr. § 324, 20. He reproaches himself for his negli- 
gence in his rxistic labors while indulging a hopeless passion. H. 

70. Semiputata. Vines were pi'uned twice in each year, first in summer, 
to which pruning reference is here made, and again after the Ides of October, 
that the grapes might ripen better in the sun. A similar pruning was made 
of the trees by which the vine was supported. The tree most commonly used 
for such support was the elm. H., Wr, 



120 ECLOGA III. NOTES. 

71. Qinn tu—pnfiu!^^ ' why do yoii not rather ' ? — AUquid soltem, ' something 
at least,' ' something however small.' Wr. : see E. 3, 73. — Qiionnii, i. e. aliqidd 
eorum, quorum^ etc.: cf. vianus, sc. eoruni, quos, A. 11, 81; fides, sc. ejus, 
guem, A. 4, 597; quid dicam, sc. de eo, qui, G. 1. 104. — Quorum indi(jet itsus, 
i. e. quae opus sunt, scil. baskets, etc. Wr. 

72. MolU, i. c. flexili. 11. — Ddexere, 'to plait ont,' i. e. to finish, Con. 

73. Alium — Alexim. Alius in such a connection refers to what is similar; 
alter to what is equcd. Wr. 



ECLOGA III.— PALAEMON. 

In this Eclogue, two shepherds, IMenalcas and Damon, Avho has charge of 
the flock of Aegon, contend in alternate verses (see v. 59 and E. 7, 18), for 
the superiority in poetical skill. A song of this kind was called carmen amoe- 
haeum, from the Greek afiotPalog, ' alternate.' The challenger was permitted 
to change at pleasure the subject of the song, but it was necessary for his 
competitor to answer in the same verses and measure, and on the same or a 
similar subject, while striving to exceed in language or in ideas the thought 
last expressed b}^ the other. Such contests are still known among the Impro- 
visatori of Italy. 

The introduction, in which the challenge is given, occupies the first fifty- 
nine lines, and introduces Palaemon as an arbiter. 

In the course of the amoebaean verses, Virgil takes occasion to glorify his 
fi'-iend and patron Pollio, and to sneer at Bavius and IMaevius, two envious 
satirists who attacked both him and Horace. H., S. & Z. 

NOTES ON THE THIRD ECLOGUE. 

1. This Eclogue is composed in imitation of the 4th and 5tli Idyls of The- 
ocritus. — Cujum, scil. est istud. Cuj'us, a, inn, an old word scarcely used by 
the writers of the Augustan age, but even then retained in the language of 
common life: see 1. cujus in Lex. and Gr. § 137, 5,- 204, E. 11, note 1. — 
An Meliboei? ' Is it not the flock of Meliboeus ' V Gr. § 198, 11, R. (rf). 

2. Acffonisf Gr. § 211, E. 7, (2). Aegon is a shepherd: his name is a 
taunt, because he is the rival of Menalcas, v. 4, Cbn. 

3. The order is, Oaves, pecus, semp)er infelix! Pecus, is in apposition to 
oves, in the ace. plur. — Ipse, i. e. Aegon. 

4. Fovet, ' courts,' often used by Cic. of paying attention to a person. Con. 

5. Hie alienus custos, i. e. Damoetas. — Alienus, who has no interest in a 
thing, here, ' hireling,' as Damoetas had been hired by Aegon to tend his 
flock. — Bis in hora. Twice a day would have been often enough. 

6. Et . . . subducitur, i. e. quo fit, ut suhducatur, Wr., ' whereby ... is taken 
away by stealth,' — ' stolen away.' 



ECLOGA III. NOTES. 121 

7. Damoetas answers the reproach of Menalcas by accusing him in turn 
of participation in some shameful deed of lust, while he claims that his own 
faults were not inconsistent with manliness of character. — Parcius, see in 
Lex. parce^ A. 2, under ^j«?-c?<s. — Viris, in its emphatic sense, ' men,' who 
deserve the name ; and covertly implying also the charge of effeminacy and 
baseness on the part of Menalcas. H. : viris, i. q. mihi vivo, the plural of nouns 
being not infrequently thus used to designate an individual of the number or 
in the condition of those denoted by the noun : cf. on E. 4, 49. Wr. — The con- 
cessive tamcn implies the general truth of the charge of Menalcas. 

8. The objects following novimjis are the two clauses beginning with et — et. 
— Qui te. Damoetas leaves the verb expressing the shame of Menalcas to be 
supplied. — Transversa^ ' askance.' For this adverbial use of transversuin and 
transversa, see in Lex. and Gr. § 205, E. 10. 

9. Et quo — sacello. The clause sedfadles, etc. shows that it was in the 
chapel of the nymphs that the shameful act alluded to was committed. — 
Faciles. The easy good nature of the nymphs was especially manifested 
in their forbearing to punish so flagi-ant a sacrilege. Damoetas seems also 
by this epithet to intimate the immodesty of the nymphs themselves, as 
the possible cause of their overlooking the offense. II. — Btsere, i. q. riserunt, 
Gr. § 162, 8. 

10. Turn, scil. riserunt or hoc factum est, ' the time when they so laughed ' 
or ' the time when this occurred, was when,' etc. Without denying the 
charge brought against him, Menalcas makes it the occasion of preferring 
still another charge against Damoetas. — Credo. The ironical use of this verb 
is extremely common: see in Lex. 2, b. (y). Here it serves Menalcas to in- 
troduce, as it were by confession of a fnult of his own, a fresh accusation 
of Damoetas. — VkJcre, see risere, v. 9, note. 

11. Mala, 'malicious,' Con., jJernuiosa, II. — Viles novellas are 'recently 
planted vines,' while a^'huslum is ' a grove ' or ' orchard ' for supporting tliem. 
It Avas customary to connect vines and trees of the like age. Damoetas is 
charged therefore with cutting the young trees and vines. Wr. The young 
vines ought not to have been touched Avith the knife at all; cf. G. 2, 365. 
Pliny (17, 1,) says that the laws of the Twelve Tables imposed a heavy fine 
for cutting another man's trees, Con. — Falce, cf. on E. 4, 40. 

12. Damoetas retorts by charging Menalcas Avith a similar act of ma- 
licious meanness. — Aut, scil. turn riserunt or hoc factum est. — Hie is more 
exactly defined by the Avords ad veteres fagos: cf. hinc vicino ab Uinite, E. 1, 
54. The construction of the passage is as foUoAvs: Aut (turn riserunt, quum 
vidtrunt), quura hie ad veteres fagos DaphnicUs arcum et calamos fregisti. 

Quum viderunt, quujii fregisti, i. e. quum viderunt te frangere. — Daplmidis. It 
seems more natural and obvious to take Daphnis here as the name of a young 
shepherd, than to understand it as referring to the son of Mercury, the favorite 
of Pan. 

13. Calamos, i. e. sagiitas. — Quae, scil. arciim et calamos. II, Gr. § 205, P. 2, 
(2), note. — Perverse, i. e. mcdevole, inique. Sp., ' maleA'olent,' 'spiteful.' 

14. Et, connect with dolebas.—Puero, i. e. Daphnidi. See note to v. 12. 

11 



122 ECLOGA III. XOTES. 

15. Aliqua^ 'somewhat,' 'a little'; see on v. 73. — Mortuus esses^ cf. 
E. 7, 26. 

16. Quid domlni, etc. ; ' what can masters do when knaves have become so 
daring ' V Fares is comic for sei'vi, see in Lex. II. A. Fo7'b. makes domini to 
mean ' owners of flocks,' and /wres, 'thieves,' but, as Con. remarks, domini 
and fures are here plainly correlative terms. It seems to be a proverbial ex- 
pression : ' What will the master do, if the man talks at this rate ' ? Con. Fa- 
ciant, Gr. § 260, E. 5. 

17. Pessime, 'miscreant.' 

18. Insidiis=dolo. E. : see insidiae,, B. (/?) in Lex. 

19. Ilk, 'that fellow,' denoting one at a distance: see Gr. 4 207, E. 23, (a.) 

20. Tityre. This appears to be a different Tityrus from the shepherd 
whose name occurs in the first Eclogue, and whose master lived in Eome. 
The Tityrus here mentioned is the servant of Damon. — Coge, Gr. § 283, III. — 
Carecia, ' the patch of rushes ' : see Gr. § 100, 7. 

21. An serves to introduce the second half of a disjunctive interrogation. 
The first question is often to be supplied from what precedes; see a/» 1, d, 
in Lex. and Gr. § 198, 11, E. (d). The omitted clause would signify: 'Had 
I not a right to take the goat ' ? or the like ; then follows the expressed 
clause, An mihi cantando, etc., 'or should he not, when vanquished in a 
musical contest, pay me,' etc. 

22. Quern — coprum. For the explanation of this arrangement see Gr. 
^ 206, (3). — Ccirminibus, 'by its notes.' Between the parts of a song the 
musician played upon his pipe. Sp. 

23. Si nestis, i. e. lit hoc scias, ' to let you know.' H. 

24. Reddare j^osse negabat, Gr. § 239, E. 2. Damon did not deny that the 
goat was fairly won, but said that he could not give it to Damoetas, lest he 
should thereby publicly acknowledge himself overcome. Serv., Sp. 

25. Cantando tu ilium., scil. vicisse te ais? See cantando rictus, v. 21. — 
Fistula cera juncta, i. e. a pipe, with a number of reeds, joined with wax: 
cf. on E. 2, 30. 

26. Nun for nonne: see non, - in Lex — Tndocte, 'ignoramus.' 

27. Siridenti, a part, adj., ' harsh,' 'grating.' — Stiptda, ' a reed-stem,' i.e. 
a single reed, opposed to Ji si ula cera juncta. — Disperdere, Angl ice, ' to mur- 
der': dis here, as in dispereo signifying valde, Gr. § 197, 8. Cf. Milton's 
liuc.<, Lycidas 123, 

" And when the}- lij't their lean and flashy songs 
Grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw." 

28. Visne and tin' tu are simply inteiTOgative, but vis and vis tu call up or 
arouse. Sp. Vis ergo inter nos vicissim expenamur, 'come then, shall we to- 
gether try in turn.' — Possit, ' can do.' 

29. Exp)eriamur, Gr. § 262, E. 4. — Vitulam, here the same as juvencaini 
cf. G. 4, 299. H. — Recuses is used absolute. Anticipating that Menalcas may 
deem the stake of too little value he commends her good qualities to his at- 
tention. Sp. 

30. Bis, i. e. his die, mane et vesperi. — Binos fetus, i. e. geminos. 



ECLOGA III. NOTES. 123 

31. Depono exactly corresponds with the English, ' to lay ' or ' to lay down,' 
ill the sense of ' to wager.' — Quo x>ignore^ according to Wunderlich, is the same 
as quo pignore posito^ Gr. § 25T. It may also be referred to Gr. 257, K. 7, or 
taken as the ablative of manner. 

32. Ausim is the perfect subjunctive from the obsolete perfect ausi, synco- 
pated from awserm. It has here, and perhaps generally, the force of a soft- 
ened future, and in so far, is equivalent to a present : non ausim, ' I shall not 
dare,' or ' I dare not ' ; Gr. § 260, II. Rem. 4. — Tecum, 1. e. uli tu pignus de 
grege ponis, ' like you,' ' as you wager.' Sp., Wr. 

33. Est mihi, Gr. § 226. — Injusta. The scope of the whole sentence implies 
that injusta is to be applied no less to pater than to noverca, or that an adjec- 
tive of similar meaning, as durus, is to be supplied after pater. Wr. 

34. Bis, i. e. ei mane et vesperi. Sp. — Alter in the sense of alteruter : see 
alter, 4, in Lex. 

35. Id quod. The grammatical antecedent of quod is the clause pocula 
ponam fagina, Gr. § 206, (13), (a) & (b).— Tuie ipse, Gr. § 133, R. 2. 

36. Insanire, scil. mecum certando. H. — Pocida, ' two cups,' according to 
Voss, Wr., Forb., but according to Heyne a poetic plur. for the singular 
jjoculum. — Ponam, like deiionam, v. 31. 

37. Fagina. Cups of beech-wood belong to primitive country life. Wr. 

38. Lenta — vitis, i. q. Jlexlbilis: cf. E. 1, 26, Forb. — Quibus, scil. poadis 
connect with superaddiia^ i. e. upon the edge or lip of which. jS/>. — Torno, 
which is properly a turner's lathe, is to be taken here for ' a graving tool,' 
' a graver.' — Facili, ' facile,' * skillful,' i. e. guided by a skillful hand. Wr. 

39. Biffusos hedera, i. e. qui ab Jiedera diffunduniui'^ diffusi pendent, Sp. : 
cf. ab ejus summo rami late diffunduntur, Caes. B. G. 6, 26. The vine is re- 
presented as overspreading the ivy, from which scattered clusters of iv}'- 
berries depend. Wr. — Pallente, ' yellow.' Martyn says that the three princi- 
pal sorts of ivy, according to Theophrastus, are the white, the black and the 
helix, and that the white was said to have a white fruit, the black either a 
black or saffron-colored, and the helix no fruit. The white, he adds, is un- 
known to us, while the black is our common ivy, and the helix probably the 
same plant when too young to bear fruit. The ivy with yellow berries was 
used in the garlands with which poets were crowned, and is the sort hei*e re- 
ferred to, M. Cf. on E. 7, 38 ; G. 2, 258. 

40. Et qids fuit alter. The shepherd, forgetting the name of the other 
astronomer, after a vain effort at recalling it, proceeds to describe him by his 
works. R. Probably Eudoxus, a celebrated astronomer of Cnidus, is meant, 
who lived B. C. 366. His work entitled Phaenomina was in great repute 
among Italian agriculturists. According to others, Aratus, Archimedes, Hip- 
parchus, Eudaemon, Euclid, Anaximander or Hesiod is referred to. 

41. Radio. The radius is properly the mathematician's rod or wand, with 
which he drew his figures on the sand. — Totum orbem, sc. caeli, 'the whole 
cii'cle of the heavens.' Wr., Forb., Con. — Genfibus, 'for the nations,' 'for 
mankind.' 



124 ECLOGA III. NOTES. 

42. Dcsa-i/isit orhem, quae tempora, etc., instead of descripsit oi'bein, defi* 
niens quae tempora, etc. Wch. — Curims arator, i. e. cwvato corjwre incumbens 
arairo. Wr. Cf. Thompson's " Incumbent o'er the shining share." 

44. Damoetas replies that he also has two cups, not inferior to those of 
Jlenalcas, but that he does not regard a stake of that kind as at all equal to 
the Avager which he had offered, of a heifer. 

45. aMuIU, cf. E. 2, 72. — Circum, adv. — Acaniho. Virgil mentions two kinds 
of acanthus: cf. G. 2, 119, and see in Lex. acanthus, 1 & 2. 

46. Sequentes, i. e. ad cantum ejusvenientes. Wr.: cf. Hor. Od. 1, 12, 7. sq: 
Ov. Met. 10, 86, sq. 

48. SI ad vitulam sjiectas, i. e. si vitidae rationem hnbes, ' if you examine or 
'regard the heifer.' Forb. — Si ad, Gr. ^ 305, (4). — N'ddl est quod laudes: see 
Gr. § 264, 7, note 3, and nihil {?.) in Lex. 

49. As Damoetas seems to account the beechen cups of Menalcas no 
proper equivalent for his o-wn wager of a lieifer, the latter is led to suspect 
that Damoetas intends to avoid the proffered contest. Hence he now adds, 
veniam quocumque vocaris,='' I will meet you on your OAvn terms,' imply- 
ing his readiness even to stake a heifer, notwithstanding his fear of offending 
his parents by so doing, rather than to permit him to withdraw the proffered 
challenge. — Numquam is more emphatic than a simple nvn. Wr.=^nullo pactOy 
' by no means.' Forb. 

50. Audiai haec tantum. Having in the preceding line fully accepted the 
challenge of Damoetas, he was about to add as a sole condition, that a cer- 
tain person should act as arbiter of the contest, when, at the moment of 
naming such an one, he happens to spy Palaemon approaching them, and 
immediately adds, vel qid venit, etc., thus offering to take Palaemon in 
place of the arbiter he had been about to name. — Fcce. For other examples 
in poetry of a similar position of ecce in the midst of a sentence, see ecce 
in Lex. 

51. Posthac with lacessas. — Ne=ut ne, see in Lex. ne, I. 4. — Voce lacessas, 
' challenge in singing,' i. e. ' challenge to sing,' Con. 

52. Damoetas, as the original challenger, v. 28, had the right of beginning, 
which he offers to waive, but Palaemon does not permit this, v. 58. Con. — 
Si quid habes, scil. quod canas, i. e. si quid potes canere: cf. E. 9, 32; 5, 10. 

53. Nee quemqnam fugio, ' nor do I shun any one,' i. e. nee te fuf/io, nee 
alium quemquam, Voss, Wr., Forb., referring to the words of ]\Ienalcas, num- 
qua77ihodie effugies, V. id; but Heyne and Conington supply _;'2«/icem. — Tan- 
tum, as in the 50th verse, introduces a condition. — Vicine^ Servius remarks 
that Damoetas aims to secure the good will of Palemon by calling him ' neigh- 
bor ' ; and quotes in confirmation of this opinion, viciniias, quod ego in propin- 
qua parte amititiae indo, Ter. Heaut. 1, 1, 4. 

54. Sensibus imis, i. e. intime mente. — Ilaec, i. e. ' these songs,' ' these 
musical performances.' — Res est non parva. This is referred by Wr. and 
Forb. to the heifer, the prize of victory, to which Damoetas is supposed to 
point while addressing Palaemon; as otherwise it does not appear how the 
arbiter learns what the wager is, v. 109: it seems however more correct to 



ECLOGA III. NOTES. 125 

refer it to the proposed musical contest, so important in its event to the par- 
ties concerned in it. — Rejwnas, see in Lex. repono, I. C. 2. 

55. This and the two following lines serve to mark the spring as the sea- 
son of the year when this contest occurs. — Bicite, i. e. caniie ; see in Lex. 
2 dico, B. 3. 

57. Nunc formosisdmus annus ; ' now the year is at its fairest.' Con. — 
An7ius for 'time of year': cf. A. 6, 811, frigidus annus, and see in Lex. 
annus, 2, 

58. Incipe Damoeta: see v. 52, note. 

59. Alterms, the abl., denoting the manner of singing, Wr., i, e. alternis 
vicibus=amoebaeo carmine, Serv. 'in responsive song,' ' responsively.' — 
AUerna, 'responsive songs'; cf. E. 7, 18, sq, 

60. Ab Jove pi-incijmim, Musae, soil, sit, i. e. in our song let us first cele- 
brate the praises of Jupiter. This line is translated from Aratus, Phaen. v. 1: 
cf. Ov. Met. 10, 148, and Theocr. 17, 1. The ancients often commenced a 
song in this manner, with the praises of Jupiter. Musae is here a vocative, 
accordhig to Voss, Sp., Jahn, Well., Forb. and Con., and as appears by the 
passages referred to in Ovid and Theocritus; but H., Wr., and Lade., regard 
it as a genitive. — Jovis omni'i plena, Gr. § 205, R. 7, (3). According to the 
doctrine of the Stoics, Jupiter was the soul of the world; but the expression 
here, as explained by the next verse, need perhaps only denote that all things 
abound with proofs of his power and superintending care. As his care ex- 
tends to the country, so he is pleased with those who cultivate the ground, — 
with shepherds and their songs. Wr., Forb. 

61. Hie colit ttrras, i. e. curat; see in Lex. 1. colo, II. 1, 'takes care of,' 
' cares for.' 

62. To the boast of Damoetas, that his song was pleasing to Jupiter, 
Menalcas replies that Apollo, the god of music and poetry, was his friend. — 
Sua, i. e. propria, quae ijjsi conveniunt et j^lctcent ; cf. E. 1, 38, ;S^., Forh. : 
see Gr. § 208, (8). 

63. Suave for suavifer, Gr. § 205, R. 10. For a similar use of other adjec- 
tives, both sing, and plur., see v. 8; E. 4, 43; G. 3, 149; A. 6, 288, horrendum 
stridens. — Lauri et hyacinthus. For the reason of their consecration to Apollo, 
see those words, and also II. Daphne, in the Lexicon. Daphne was beloved 
by Apollo. 

64. In this verse, and those which follow, to the 84th, the singers are not 
to be understood as relating matters in their own expei'ience, bxit either im- 
aginary incidents, or such things as they had heard fi-ora others. Voss, Sp. — 
Malo. The apple was sacred to Venus, hence to present one with an apple, 
to throw an apple at one, or the like, Avas a token of love. Jah?i, Wr. 

65. Se cujnt ante videri. For the use of the reflexive pronoun in such 
connections see Gr. § 271, R. 4. — Ante videri, i. e. ariteqtiam latent, Serv., be- 
fore she is concealed among the willows : cf Hor. Od. 1, 9, 20. 

66. But tlie yoiith to whom I am attached, replies Menalcas, comes to me 
of hhnself. K.— Ignis, see in Lex. II. 2, and cf E. 1, 58 ; 10, 22. 

11* 



126 ECLOGA III. X0TE3. 

67. Ut sit. The demonstrative particle, on which ut depends, is omitted 
in the preceding clause; Gr. § 262, R. 1. — Ddla. Heyne takes this to be the 
name of a mistress of IMenalcas, who coming often to visit him, was known to 
his watch-dogs; and he compares the passage with E. 7, 40: so that, as Con. 
observes, Menalcas may mean indirectly to boast that he is beloved by two 
persons, not merely by one, like Damoetas. Ruaeus supposes that Delia may 
have been a maid-servant of Menalcas. 

68. The subject is now the presents to the loved ones. K. — Parta, i. e. 
praeparata, Sbtv. — Meae Veneri, i. e. meae amicae, Serv. : see Venus, B. 2, 
in Lex. — Notavi, see in Lex. IL B. 

69. Aei^iae, i. e. in alto nidijicantes. Sp. — Congessere, abs. instead of nidum 
coiiffessere, If., as we say ' to build.' Compare with these verses the lines 
from Shenstone's 2d pastoral: 

" I have found out a gift for my fair ; 

I have found where the wood-pigeons breed." 

70. I, replies Menalcas, have already sent a present. — Quod potui, i. e. 
quantum potui, quantum summo labore consuinpio coniingere potui, Forb., ' the 
most I could do,' i. e. in picking them from the lofty branches of the tree.' — 
Fuei-o, i. e. Amyntae, Gr. § 225, IV. R. 2 — Lecto, see on E. 2, 51. 

71. Aurea, i. e. pulchra, H., see in Lex. aureus, 4, and E. 8, 52: mala 
aurei coloj-is, Serv. — Altera, scil. decern, Wr. 

72. Damoetas expresses the strength of his passion for his beloved by the 
delight her Avords afford him. — Qaaez^qxiaUn. 

73. Partem aliquam, i. e. eorum quae locuta est, o venti, etc. //. Partem 
aliquam, ' some small part.' Wr. Such, according to Wagner, is the mean- 
ing of aliquis in the ISth verse and in E. 2, 71: cf. A. 10, 84, nos aliquid 
Rutulos contra juvisse nefandani est ^ Frequently however aliquis is found in 
a pregnant sense, denoting something considerable: see cdiquis, 3 in Lex. and 
A. 2, 89, nos aliquod nomenque decusque gesslmus. — Dlvum referatis ad aures. 
The meaning, according to Serv. and Wr., is: so sweetly did Galatea talk 
with me, that her words were worthy of the ears of the gods. 

74. Menalcas replies that the society of Amyntas is everything to him. — 
Quid prodest, Gr. § 232, (3) and note 2. — Anlmo mm spernis, by the figure 
litotes forjibentlssiine amas. Serv. 

75. Eetia servo : servo for observo ; Sp., and see in Lex. servo, U. To as- 
sist the hunter by carrying his nets, by watching them when set for the cap- 
ture of wild beasts, and by other services of this nature, was a common mode 
of seeking to gain his favor. The meanhig of the passage is: I know that you 
really love me, but what does your affection avail if I cannot also have your 
society? He desires to be constantly with Amanitas. Wr., Forb. 

76. Another subject is now introduced. — Phyllida. Phyllis seems to have 
been a maid-servant (or perhaps a mistress) of lollas, a neighboring proprietor 
(cf. E. 2, 57), for whom both Damoetas and Menalcas profess a passion, 
lollas is addressed as being present, and may not unnaturally be supposed to 
have come m during this musical contest of the two shepherds. Damoetas 



ECLOGA Til. NOTES. 127 

says, that being about to celebrate his birth-day, he desires that Phyllis may 
be sent to assist in the services. 

77. Faciam, abs. for sac7'a or sacrificium faciam, see facio, B. 7 in Lex. 
Here the sacrum ambarvale is referred to; cf. G. 1, 345. Birth-day celebra- 
tions were a season for merry-making and love, which were not permitted at 
the Ambarvalia or other sacrifices to the gods, and hence while Damoetas 
wishes Phyllis to be present on his birth-day, he derisively invites lollas 
to attend at the • sacrifice. Voss, Wr. — Pro frugibus, ' for the fruits of the 
earth.' 

78. Me discedere jlevit, Gr. § 273, 5, and note 7. 

79. Et longu7n, etc. Commentators have differed much respecting the 
precise import of this line. By some, {Serv., Burm., H.) longum is joined to 
vale, in the seiise of in longum, ' for a long time.' Those who interpret longum 
in this manner suppose the words longum, formose, vale, vale, to be addi-essed 
by Phyllis to her master lollas, whom she intends to leave and to go away 
with Menalcas. Others {Jakn, Wr., Forb., Con.) connect longum with inquit, 
and suppose that Menalcas here assumes to answer Damoetas in the name 
of lollas. It seems most natural thus to connect longum and inquit, to mark 
her lingering farewell and her frequent i-epetition of the parting words. I see 
not, however, why we may not join formose to Menalca understood, and take 
lolla as the address of Menalcas himself to Phyllis' master, with whom he 
pleads the mutual passion of himself and Phyllis in opposition to the request 
of Damoetas; see v. 76, note. The meaning will then be, 'for she wept at 
my leaving her, lollas, and said with lingering accents, farewell, farewell, 
beautiful Menalcas.' — Vale, vale, inquit, Gr. § 305, 1 & (2). 

80. Damoetas again changes the subject, and now introdiaces the name 
of another mistress. — Triste lupus stabulis ; see Gr. § 204, R. 9; 205, R. 7, (2), 
and tristis in Lex. B. 2. So diilce satis humor, v. 82; cf. A. 4, 569, varium et 
mtdabile semper ftmlna. 

82. Sniis=segetibus, Serv. : see sata under 1. sero in Lex. — Depuhis hae- 
dis, i. e. prohibliis, a lade remotis, Serv.: and see depello, B. 2 in Lex. Cf. E. 
7, 15. — Arbutus. The kids were fond of the leaves and shoots of the straw- 
berry-tree. H. Cf. G. 3, 300. 

83. Salix. Cf. E. 1, 79. 

84. Pollio. See Aslnius in Lex., and introduction to this Eclogue. 
Asinius Pollio was distinguished by the friendship of Augustas and M. 
Antonius, by his literary performances, and by his patronage of Virgil and 
Horace, each of whom celebrated his praises. Cf. E. 4, and Hor. Od. 2, 1; 
Sat. 1, 10, 42. 

85. Vitulam pascite, i. e. feed a heifer to be sacrificed to the gods for 
PoUio's welfare. — Lectoii vestro, i. e. who reads my verses which are from 
your inspiration. Virgil seems to lose sight of the pastoral character of 
Damoetas and Menalcas, whose compositions he supposes to be read by 
Pollio. The shepherd sings and his song is heard; he does not write it down 
to be read. H. 



128 ECLOGA III. KOTES. 

86. Nova carniina, i. e. praedara, qualia numquam ante facin^ H., 'match- 
less,' 'unrivalled.' PoUio was distinguished as a writer of tragedies; Hor. 
Od. 2, 1, 9, 10; Sat. 1, 10,42. 

8T. Jam cornu petat, etc. The age of the bull is denoted by these clauses : 
he must be of such an age as to push with his horns and to paw the earth 
with his hoofs. See Gr. § 264, 1, {b). This line occurs again, A. 9, 629. 

88. Quo te quoque (/audei, scil. p)ervenisse^ i. e. may he attain to like felicity 
with that which he rejoices that you have reached. In the next verse this 
felicity is characterized as that which belonged to the golden age. Heyne 
suggests, on account of the reply of Menalcas, qui Bavium, etc., that similar 
eminence in poetry to that enjoyed by Pollio is what is here wished for his 
friends: Forb. approves this suggestion; but Wr. and Spolm prefer the for- 
mer interpretation. 

89. The amomura is both a fragrant shrub and the balsam obtained from it. 
Here it is the balsam; in E. 4, 25, it is the shrub. 

90. Bavium. See introduction to this P2clogue, also Servius' explanation 
of this passage under Bavius in Lex., and cf. Hor. Epod. 10: Gr. § 209, R. 2, 
note 3. 

91. Jungat vulpes, scil. ad arandum. 77. — Mulgal hirxos. This and the pre- 
ceding are proverbial expressions, denoting an absurd or impossible under- 
taking. Wr. 

92. Damoetas here, and in the following verses, introduces such subjects 
as occur to his mind in the heat of the contest, with little or no connection, 
apparently, between them. 

93. Friyidus anguis, cf. E. S, 71, and ^vy^udg d(pig, Theoc. 15, 58. Wr. The 
snake seems to be termed ' cold,' as being such to the touch. Thus we say, 
as cold as a frog. K. — Latet anguis in Jierba, says Landinus, is a proverb, 
warning us, when all things appear prosperous, to beware of danger. Pertur- 
bation and anxiety are expressed in the position of the words of the second 
line, and by the number of dactyls. K. 

94. Parcite is used like cavtte, nolite : see parco^ B. (/3) in Lex., and Gr. 
§ 267, R. 3. 

95. Non bene ripae creditur\ i. e. ' it is not safe to trust,' etc.: cf. Hor. Sat. 
2, 4, 21, fungis . . . aliis male crediLur. — Vtllera, potdie for vellus. 

96. Pascevtts^ i. e. qua pascuntur^ Forb. — Reice for rejice; see under rejicio 
in Lex. and Gr. § 306, 1. 

98. Cogite oves, etc., i. e. cogite ad umbram et frigus cap)tandum, aestus siccat 
ubera. 77., Wr. — Fraeceperit ; see in Lex. L A. 

100. Fingui, that makes fat, ' fattening.' — Quain with macer. 

101. Fxitium pecori, Gr. § 211, E. 5, and note; 222, R. 8, N.; 227, R. 4. 

102. The meaning is, your bull is lean and sick from love, but as that 
cannot be the cause of the leanness of my lambs, it must be owing to some 
witchcraft, for I see no other reason. Forb. — 77^s, scil. agvis. — Neque=etiam 
non, or ne quid em ^ ' evep not,' ' not even,' Voss, Wr. — Vix ossibus haerent, 
i. e. vix ossi eornm coliaerent. Sen:., ' scarcely do their bones stick together.' 
Ossi!)us is in the abl., denoting 'in respect to,' 'with regard to,' 'as to': 



ECLOGA III. NOTES. 129 

Gr. § 250. The expression indicates their extreme leanness, like the English: 
They are nothing but skin and bone. Ossibus may also be construed as a 
dative. 

103. Nescio qu'is oculus signifies, ' I know not what eye ' ; nescio qui oculus, 
like nescio qualis, would have meant, ' I know not what kind of eye ' ; Jahn, 
Wr. : see note to E. 2, 19. The belief in the ascination of the evil eye was 
a common superstition of the Greeks and Eomans, and the same belief, that 
evil disposed persons have a power of doing injury, especially to children and 
to the young of flocks, etc., by looking at them with a malicious eye, is said 
to continue among the Italians of the present day. Jahn. 

104. Damoetas proposes a riddle, to which Menalcas replies by propound- 
ing another. — M, see in Lex. II. 4. — Ei-is mihi magnus Apollo, i. e. ' I will 
look upon you as great Apollo.' As Apollo was the god of divination, Da- 
moetas promises to regard Menalcas as not inferior to that god, if he shall 
rightly solve the proposed enigma. Cf. mihi deiis, E. 1, 7, and the note upon 
it, and above on v. 101. 

105. Tres pateat caeli spatium . . . ulnas, Gr. § 324, 7, {b) ; 236. Many so- 
lutions of this riddle have been proposed, the most probable of which is that 
given by Servius and which Asconius and Cornificius say that they had 
heard from Vu-gil himself. According to this explanation the grave of one 
Caelius, a spendthrift who squandered all his property, except a piece of 
ground large enough to be buried in, was intended by Virgil. Damoetas 
is then to be understood as playing upon the words Caelius and caelum, each 
of which, by poetical usage, would form the same genitive, caeli: see E. 1, 
33, note. Servius however gives the preference to that solution which makes 
Damoetas refer to such a view of the heavens as may be obtained from the 
bottom of a narrow pit or well. — Ampllus ulnas, Gr. § 256, R. 6, (a) & (&). 

106. Inscripii nomina regum . . . flores. The hyacinth is meant, on whose 
leaves, according to ancient belief, the letters A I were inscribed, which 
letters either expressed the grief of Apollo at the death of Hyacinthus, 
(A?, A?, signifying ' alas ! alas!'), or denoted the name Ala?, that is Ajax. 
See Ajax and Hyacinthus in Lex. — Regum, ' princes,' the Homeric Pa<nkfjes, 
Con. Hyacinthus and Ajax were both sons of kings, Hyacinthus of Amyclas, 
king of the Lacedemonians, and Ajax of Telamon, king of the island of Sala- 
mis. — Inscripii nomina, Gr. § 234, II, i. e. nomina inscripta habenies. Cf. E. 1, 55. 

107. Phyllida. Both had claimed an interest in her affections, vs. 76 — 79, 
but Menalcas offers to yield his pretensions to her love, if Damoetas will solv3 
his riddle. 

108. Nun nostrwn, scil. est, Gr. § 211, R. 8, (3), and note.— Gompone7-e= 
finire, Sew.: see coinpono, B. 2 in Lex. 

109. Et qvisquis amoves aut vietuet dukes, aut experietur amaros. There 
seems no reason to suspect the text as here given, though the manuscripts 
differ somewhat in regard to the mood and tense of the verbs, which are 
found either in the fut. indie, or in the pres. subj., but commentators have 
been unable to agi-ee as to the interpretation of the words, and various con- 
jectural changes have been proposed. Ebert conjectured, et quisquis amaros 



130 ECLOGA III. NOTES. 

aut 7netuet, dulces aut experietur amoves. This reading is adopted by Wake- 
field and appears to be as easy and natural as any alteration that has been 
proposed. Wagner proposes the following: et quisquis amoves haut (i. e. 
havd) meiuet, dulces, aut expevietuv amaros. Forbiger prefers the conjec- 
ture of Graser: et quisquis amoves haut metuet dulces, haut experietur amavos. 
Heyne would wholly reject the 109th and 110th verses. If we adopt Ebert's 
reading the verses will signify: Both you and he are deserving of the heifer; 
and whoever else shall either fear unsuccessful, or shall experience suc- 
cessful love. If we take the emendation of Wagner, the meaning will be: 
And whoever shall not abstain from love will find it either sweet or bitter. 
The meaning according to Graser' s reading Avill be: And whoever shall not 
fear sweet love, shall not experience bitter love, i. e. v^hoever shall not be 
timid in love shall be successful in love. 

No one of the proposed corrections appears to me a decided improve- 
ment upon the text, and I am of the opinion, with Conington, that the 
genei"al sense of the clause, et quisquis amoves aut metuet, etc., is, as ex- 
plained by Servius, et quicumque si7niHs vestri est, i. e. and whoever is like 
you, whoever can feel love as you have shown you can; since Damoetas 
had complained (v. 81) of the crueltj'- of Amaryllis, and Menalcas had 
spoken (v. 83) of the pleasures of successful love. Meiuet dulces he applies 
to Menalcas, and explains it by iimebit pro dulcibus, ne cos amittat ; and 
experietur amaros to Damoetas. The meaning, according to this interpre- 
tation, is, ' and whoever shall either fear sweet love or shall experience 
bitter love,' i. e. whoever, like you, shall either sing so well the fears of 
successful or the pangs of slighted love ; the feeling being put for the ex- 
pression of the feeling, as in E. 6, 62, and 9, 19, the action is put for the cele- 
bration of the action. 

111. Claudite jam vivos. Servius gives two interpretations to this verse, 
a literal and a figurative. According to the first, which is generally adopted 
by recent commentators, Palaemon had come out into the fields for the 
purpose of directing his servants to open the sluices by means of which his 
meadows were iri'igated. This having been done, and the water having been 
flowing upon the meadows during this contest, he now directs them to close 
the sluices. According to the allegorical interpretation it is the rills of song 
that are to be stopped, and the words are addi-essed not to the servants, but 
to the musical combatants. 



ECLOGA IV. NOTES. 131 



ECLOGA IV.— POLLIO. 



ARGUMENT. 

This Eclogue, wliich, on occount of some apparent coincidences of lan- 
guage with the prophecies of the Old Testament (see Isaiah ch. 11) in rela- 
tion to the Savior's birth, has attracted much attention, seems to have been 
devoted by its author to the special honor of Asinius Pollio his friend and 
patron. All Italy had suffered great calamities, first from the confiscation 
and distribution of lands, to which allusion is made in the first Eclogue, then 
from the quarrels between Antony and Octavianus, and the war which en- 
sued, B. C. 41 ; and finally, from a very severe famine, the result of the 
blockade of the coast of Italy by the fleets of Antony and Sext. Pompey. 
For these reasons great joj' was occasioned by the treaty of Brundisiura, 
made in the autumn of B. C. 40, by which harmony was restored between 
Antony and Octavianus. Asinius Pollio assisted Antony in negotiating and 
.arranging that peace. A little afterwards, on his return to Rome, Pollio 
entered on the consulship, and about the same time had a son born to him. 
There was a common belief at that time that a new age was about to dawn 
on the world, and as Italy seemed to have escaped from its miseries chiefly 
through the means of Pollio, Virgil, in this Eclogue, congi-atulates him on 
his consulship, and does it in such a way as at once to extol him as the 
harbinger of a new era of happiness, and at the same time to augur this 
from the birth of his son, as an omen of future peace and prosperity. This 
Eclogue was written in the autumn of B. C. 40, when Virgil was thirty 
years old. Many Cliristian writers have regarded this Eclogue as a prophecy 
of the birth and reign of the Messiah, derived by Virgil from the Sibylline 
books, or from traditions prevalent in the P^ast. Of this opinion respecting 
its origin Pope has availed himself in his splendid paraphrase, entitled 
"Messiah, a Sacred Eclogue." 



NOTES ON THE FOURTH ECLOGUE. 

1. Sli elides : see Sicells under SicuU in. Lex. Pastoral poetry is said to 
have originated in Sicily, the country of Theocritus. — Paulo majora^ soil. 
soliio^ ' somewhat higher strains,' ' themes of somewhat unwonted dignity,' 
Gr. § 256, R. 9, and (a); i. e. themes a little more elevated than those usually 
chosen for Bucolic verse. So Pope in his Messiah: To heavenly themes sub- 
limer sh-ains belong. 

2. The subjects of Bucolic poetry are alluded to in arbusta, myricae and 
silvas. 

3. Silvae sint Consmle diyiiae, scil. Polllone, i. e. if we employ pastoral 
poetry let it be stich, etc. 



132 ECLOGA IV. NOTES. 

4. Cumaei, ' Cumaean ' or * Sibylline.' The most famous of the Sibyls 
was the Cumaean who gave to different saecula or ages the names of metals, 
i. e. the Golden, the Silver, the Brazen and the Iron age. 

5. The doctrine of the r/reat or mundane year, which was current among 
the Greeks, and taught also by the Platonic and Stoic philosophers, and 
which was also contained in the Sibylline books, is assumed as the basis 
of the poet's predictions in this Eclogue. According to this doctrine, at the 
close of the mundane year, the duration of which was variously estimated at 
2489, 3000, 7777, 12954, 15000 and 18000 years, the stars would aU return to 
their original places, as the sun returns to its former place at the end of the 
common year, and there would be a general restoration of all things. In the 
Estruscan and Sibylline books, this gi-eat year, comprising the four ages 
above named, was divided into ten gi-eat months or saecula, which seem 
however not to have had any certain or uniform duration. What deity pre- 
sided over each of these great months was particularly taught in the Sibyl- 
line books. Saturn is said te have presided over the first of these months, 
and Sol or Apollo over the last. Diana appears to have immediately pre- 
ceded Apollo, and to her also November, in the civil year, was consecrated. 
At the time when this Eclogue was written the Romans believed themselves 
to be living in the tenth or last saeculum, (in the Iron Age,) since according 
to Vulcatius the aug-ur, the comet that appeared soon after the death of Julius 
Caesar, marked the end of the ninth and the beginning of the tenth saeculum. 
As the Romans, after the treaty formed at Brundisium, between Octavianus 
and Antony, entertained the most sanguine expectations of future happiness 
and peace, Virgil makes use of this occasion to proclaim the approach of the 
Golden Age; and accordingly, as the tenth age was now passing f tews Jam 
re<jnat Apollo, v. 10), he announces, that, on its termination, a new mundane 
year (mafjnvs saedomm ordo), would commence, and with it the Golden Ago 
would return. That mankind might be fully prepared for this, and might 
gradually return from the v.ickedness and crimes of the Iron Age in which 
he lived, to the perfect purity of life that marked the Golden Age, the poet 
represents the tenth saendum as passing by degrees into that age. He makes 
the commencement of the new age to be coincident with the birth of the boy 
whose advent he celebrates, and teaches that the Golden Age will make still 
more sensible advances during his childhood, (see v. 26 sq.), but that it will 
not be perfect until he attains to complete manhood (see v. 37 sq.) Jahn, Voss. 
—Saeclorum, Gr. § 322, 4:.—Nasclt.ur, 'begins.' 

6. Vir(/o, i. e. Astrnea, see virffo, B. and Astraea in Lex. and cf. Ov. Met. 
1, 149; G. 2, 474. — Saturnia refjna, Gr. § 98. The reign of Saturn in Latium 
was, according to tradition, during the Golden Age, and while Astraea stiU 
had her residence on earth. Hence it appears that Astraea and Saturn are 
said, by metonymy, to be about to reappear, because the age in which they 
had previously lived on earth was about to be renewed. Wagner remarks ou 
this line that redit et Virr/o, redeunt Saturnia regna is equivalent to ei Virgo 
et Saturnia regna redeunt ; and that the repetition of a verb or an adjective is 
frequently equivalent to a repetition of the conjunction: cf A. 7, 327; 8, 91; 



ECLOGA IV. IS'OTES. 133 

11, 171 ; 12, 548. Ill A. 10, 313, a prep, is in like manner repeated. In a few 
instances, as in vs. 24, 25, the copulative and verb are both repeated. 

7. Nova progenies, ' a new race,' i. e. 'a better race,' who are called in 
v. 9, gens aurea. H. 

8. Moth, 'only.' — Nascenti, part. adj.=dum nascitur, Forb., 'nascent,' 
i. e. about to be born : see nascor, A. in Lex. — Quo, scil. nascente, ' at whose 
birth,' Serv.,=cujus oriu, Wr. Euaeus supplies sub, i. e. ' in whose day,' 
like illo sub rege, A. 8. 324. — Puero, i. e. Gallo, Asinii Pollionis Jilio. Wr. — 
Ferrea gens, i. e. ftrreae aetatis gens, so v. 9, gens aurea for gens aureae 
aetatis. — Primum, 'at last' ; cf. on E. 1, 45, Con. 

9. 3fundo=orde terrarum, Wch. ; see mundus, II. B. 2 in Lex. 

10. Tuus jam regnat Apollo. This shows that the last age was come, as 
the Sibyl declares the age of Sol, i. e. of Apollo, to be the last. Serv. — 
Tuus, scil. frater, according to Euaeus, who says that Virgil adopted the 
common opinion that Lucina and Diana were the same person: see Diana 
in Lex. 

11. Teque . . . ie Conside, an emphatic repetition. — Adeo gives a rhetorical 
prominence to the word after which it is used. Con. ; see in Lex. B. 2. — 
Becus hoc aevi, has been by some applied to the boy who was about to ap- 
pear, ' this glory of the age ' ; by others, and apparently with more propriety, 
to the age about to commence, =/)/'ae(;'Zara haec aetas, 'this glorious age'; 
Serv., H., Jalin. : cf. Qaalibus in tenebris vitae quantisqve peridis degitur hoc 
aevi quodcumque est, Lucr. 2, lo.—Inibit=cursum inibit, incipiet. P., Wr., Forb. : 
cf. ineunte anno, and see ina'pio, II. in Lex. 

12. Mngni menses like magnus annus and magnus ordo saedorum, i. e. 
greater, longer than our months, the saecula into which the great or mundane 
year was divided, Jidin, Voss, Con. Cf. on v. 4. Others explain it by ' memo- 
rable,' ' illustrious,' as belonging to the Golden Age ; Sp., H., Wr. 

13. Te duce, cf. te conside, V. 11, 'under your guidance,' 'your auspices,' 
i. e. from the commencement of your consulship. — Scderis vestigia nostri. 
He refers to the remains of the civil wars, particularly to the maritime war 
carried on by Sext. Pompey, by means of which Eome Avas cut off from its 
supplies of provisions. H. 

14. Irrita=zabolita, sublnia, H., Forb., 'effaced,' ' removed.'— i^or»^^c?^■/^e, 
' fear,' arising from a sense of guilt. //. 

15. Jlle, scil. puer, the boy spoken of in vs. 8 — 10, the son of Pollio. 77., 
Wr.—Deum vitam. By the ' life of the gods ' is meant a perfectly blessed 
and happy life: cf. Cic. de Nat. Deorum, 1, 19, Aut. . . . Beum vitam acdpiet, 
i. e. ' will possess ' or ' enjoy ' a life like theirs.— Divis permixtos, Gr. § 245, 
II. 2. 

16. Hei'oas, Gr. \ 85, Exc. 2.—Ei ipse videbitur illis. The whole passage 
implies that this child should mingle in the society of gods and heroes and 
should be included in their number. During the Golden Age the gods ar© 
represented as associating familiarly with men. 

17. Pacatum, part, adj.— iJe^-ei orbem, 'will rule the world, i. e. conml ' 
f actus administrabit imperium Romanum, Wr., Forb. — Patriis virtutibus, con- 

12 



134 ECLOGA IV. NOTES. 

nect with reget; the same A^irtues for which his father Polho was distin- 
guished. 

18. Virgil having in the preceding verses spoken generally of the ap- 
proach of the new Golden Age, now marks the different steps by which its 
adA'ance is distiugiiished — its commencement in the boyhood of Pollio's sou 
{ys. 18 — 25), its progi'ess in his youth (vs. 26 — 36), and its perfection in 
liis manhood (vs. 37 — 45): cf. note on \. 4. — Al here designates a passing 
from one thought to another but not an opposite thought; ' moreover,' ' and ' ; 
see in Lex. I. — Prima., instead of pritno, ' at first,' Gr. § 205, E. 15 : cf. E. 6, 
1; G. 1, 12. The second step is marked by at sinnd, v. 26, and the third by 
hinc, v. 37. — 3Iunuscula, ' its gifts,' literally, ' its minor ' or ' small gifts,' 
which are specified in vs. 19 — 25. — Nullo cultu. The productions of the 
Golden Age Avere spontaneous. 

19. ^rra?z/es, 'spreading.' — Passim connect ^\\t\i fundei. — Baccare. This 
plant, which Sprengel takes to be a valerian, (see in Lex.), Daubeny is in- 
clined to believe a salvia, i. e. salvia sclarea. Pliny says of it, odor est ei cin- 
naniomo pi^oximus. 

20. Hidenii, 'smiling,' 'glad,' i. e. cohris pulcTiritudine ocidos deledante, 
Wr. — Mixta acanilio, cf. supra on divis permixtos, v. 15. — Acantho. This 
is supposed to be the EgA^ptian tree mentioned in G. 2, 119, Serv.: cf. on 
E. 3, 45. 

21. Jpsae, i. e. spoide, nullo ducente, H., 'of their OAvn accord ': see similar 
examples under ipse I in Lex. So ipsa cunahula, v. 23, i. e. sponte, nulla serente, 
Wr., ' spontaneously.' 

23. Blandos, ' pleasant,' both in their color and in their fragrance, Wr. ; 
'soothing,' Br. 

24. Fallax. The poisonous plant is called ' deceptive,' according to Ser- 
vius, because of its liability to be mistaken for a harmless plant: cf. nee 
miseros fallunt aconita legentes, G. 2, 152. — Herba veneni, i. e. lierba venenata., 
' the poisonous plant,' as it were, the plant containing poison: cf. pocuhun 
veneni, in Solinus ; poculum lactis, and lactis ubera, in TibuUus ; crateras olivi^ 
E. 5, 68; sanguinis 2)ateras, A. 3, 67. Forh. 

25. Assyrium, ' Assyrian,' iu a wide sense for Eastern. Voss., Wr. — Vulgo^ 
i. e. omnibus locis, — Amcmum, cf. on E. 3, 89. 

26. At marks a transition from the indications of the Golden Age observ- 
able in the boyhood of Pollio's son to the more striking ones to be exhibited 
during his youth: see at in note to v. 18. His youth is poetically described 
by Avords that mark his intellectual progress, Avhich would then be such that 
he could study the poets Avho sung of the heroum laudes, (see laus II in Lex.) 
and the historians who AA'ould record the facta parentis, 'the gi-eat deeds 
of his father.' The simple meaning of the 26th and 27th A^erses is, When you 
sliall become a j^oung man. JcJm. — Simtd for simtd atque, see in Lex. IL B. 2. 
— Parentis, scil. Polllonis. Wr. 

27. Et quae sit . . . cognoscere virtus. The child Avill read of the glories of 
its father and the heroes of older time, the subjects of poetry and history, and 
thus learn to conceive of virtue. Con. 



ECLOGA IV. NOTES. 135 

28. Molli arista, i. e. the beard or awn of grain, now so roiigh and pricldy, 
shall then be smooth and soft. Voss, Wr. 

29. Pendebit sentibus uva. Pendto is construed either with the preposi- 
tions a6, de, ex or m, or with the abl. without a prep. 

30. Rascida mella, Gr. § 232, (2). The honey, so abundant in the Golden 
Age, is sometimes spoken of as escaping from the cavities of trees, where the 
bees had deposited it, and sometimes, as here, is described as exuding, in the 
form of drops of dew, from the leaves of trees, particularly those of the ilex, 
or holm oak: cf. G. 1, 131. 

31. Pauca tamen. This second period, which is to precede the perfect 
Golden Age, is repi-esented as similar to the Heroic, which Hesiod makes a 
fourth Age, between the Brazen and the Iron. In this period some evils and 
crimes Avill still remain. — Priscae, ' ancient,' such as had prevailed in the 
later ages of the nosv closing mundane year. — Fraudls, cf. sceleris vestigia 
nostri, v. 13, and see fraus, B. in Lex. 

32. Among the evils of former times that still remain he enumerates navi- 
gation, the fortifying of cities, and agriculture; and instead of simply saying 
that a second heroic age shall come, he announces the repetition of the two 
most important events of the former heroic age, the Argonautic expedition 
and the siege of Troy, vs. 34 — 36. 

33. Quae jtibeant, ' such as will prompt,' or simply, ' to prompt,' * prompt- 
ing,' Gr. § 264, 1, (rt) & (b).—Jubennt infindere, Gr. § 273, 2, (d). 

34. Quae vehat, ' to transport,' cf on v. 33. 

35. Dek-ctos Icwns, i. e. the Argonauts, the companions of Jason in his 
expedition in quest of the golden fleece: see Aryonautae, lason, Ilelle and 
Phrixus in Lex. 

37. nine, ' after this,' introduces the third and final step in the progress 
of mankind towards the new Golden Age, which was to be fully ushered in 
when this child should have attained to manhood. — Firmata oetas, ' strength- 
ened,' ' miitm-e age': o.'i. firmata javi aetas, Cic. Coel. 18, and confinnatis 
aetaiibus, Cic. Lael. 76. 

38. Cedet mari, 'shall relinquish' or 'abandon the sea,' Gr. § 255, R. 3, 
(a) t& {h), & 1, cedo 11. in Lex. Servius remarks that cedei mari vector is a 
necessary consequence of o??m/s ye?'e^ omnia tellus. — Ipse, i.e. sponte, cf. on 
v. 21. ' Forb. — Vcitor, ' the passenger,' which seems to be its sense where it is 
used of maritime carriage. Con. 

40. Past ros ... f (deem. The r a strum Avas ' a toothed hoe' or ' mattock,' 
with two, three or four prongs, serving the purpose of a rake, fork and hoe 
combined. It seems to have been a rake used in manual labor and not a 
harrow drawn by cattle: the falx simply denoted a knife with a curved edge, 
and hence was applied to a variety of instruments, intended fur different pur- 
poses in husbandry, Dauleny: and see these words in Lex. Falx is here 
' a pruning-knife ' or ' pruning-hook.' 

41. Tauris jufja solcet. Tauris, according to Wr. and Forb, is in the dative, 
like lianc mihi soldte vitam in Propertius, 2, 7, 77: see Gr. § 211, R. 5, (1): 



136 ECLOGA IV. NOTES. 

Well. 4' Sjy. contend for the abl., Gr. § 251. The solution of the question 
would not materially affect the meaning of the passage. 

42. MeniiH, ' to feign,' ' counterfeit,' i. e. to take on, instead of its own 
color, the colors imparted to it by dyes. 

43. Jpse, ' of himself,' see ipse, I. in Lex. — Suave rubenii murice^ ' sweetly,' 
i. e. ' beautifully reddish purple,' see on E. 8, 63. 

44. Mutnbit=tinget, Serv. and see in Lex. under viuto, IL 2. This mean- 
ing however belongs rather to its connection than to the verb itself, which 
signifies 'to alter' or 'change.' — Vellera, poetice for vellus, see on K. 3, 95. 
Wagner remarks that murex, lutum and sandyx in this place are simply the 
names of colors, not of coloring materials. Vellera seems in like manner 
to signify his natural or white fleece, and hence mutari vellera croceo luto 
will mean to exchange his white fleece for one .of saffi-on-or golden-yellow : 
see Gr. § 252, R. 5. 

45. Pascenies agnos, ' the grazing lambs,' answering to in pratis, v. 44, 
i. e. the'live sheep in the fields, opposed to the fleece in the hands of the dyer,' 
Con. Others explain pascenies, ' while feeding,' as if the colors were occa- 
sioned by the peculiar nature of the plants on which they fed. 

46. Talia saecla, etc., i. e. 'ages of such a kind' as have been indicated 
in the preceding verses. The passage may be translated: 'The Parcae, 
harmonious in regai'd to the immutable will of fate, have said to their 
spindles, "roll off illustrious ages".' Tulia is thxif^, according to iJ., Wr., 
and dm., a vocative; hut Forb. and otliers, agreeing with Cerda and Voss, 
take it for an accusative, supplying the preposition ^x-r: 'The Parcae have 
said to their spindles, roll on through such age>,' i. e. run on without inter- 
ruption — denoting unbroken and undisturbed happiness. — Fusts, ' to their 
spindles,' i. e. to the threads spun upon their spindles. These threads, as 
they were drawn out, represented the successive ages and all their attendant 
events, hence saecla is here used instead of Jila, ' threads.' 

47. Concoi'des, i. e. harmonious in determining and assigning the destiny 
of all persons and events as established by divine decree. Wr. — Numine. 
Numen est voluntas et jussio dti, Serv. Gellius also quotes Chrysippus as 
saying that ' fate is the eternal and invariable series of events ' : see numen, 
B. in Lex. — Parcae. Of the three Parcae Clotho was said to hold the distafl", 
Lachesis to spin the thread of Hfe, and Atropos to sever it. All events were 
directed by them, in harmony however with the decrees of the gods. 

48. Aggredere. The poet here addresses the son of Pollio, the nascens 
pver of the 8th verse, wlio is now supposed to have reached the age of man- 
hood, inviting him to enter upon those higli honors that awaited him, that is, 
according to Servius, aggredere magiios Itonores consulaius ; see on v. 17. — 
Jam, see in Lex. IL B. 

49. Deum, 'of a god,' see v. 7, and demiltn, B. 2 in Lex. The plur. is put 
poetically for the sing.; so of Aeneas, Anchlsa generate, deum (i. e. Veneris) 
certissima 2»'oles, A. 6, 322 ; cf. a similar use of the plur. instead of the sing. 
in E. 3, 7; 6, 42; A. 7, 98; 10, 79; 11, 784; 12, 60. In such instances the 
object of the writer is not so much to denote who the individual is, as what he 



ECLOGA IV. NOTES. 137 

is, or to what class lie belongs ; as in the present verse, that he is the son, not 
of a human but of a dlvlue father: cf. on E. 3, 7. W't\, Fwb. — Jovis incremen- 
tiim, 'progeny,' i. e. a new offspring added to the number of the sons of Jupi- 
ter: Wr., Forb.: but Kuaeus and Heyne say, 'the foster son of Jupiter,' like 
theHomeric (itorpiijirji: see Gr. § 310, 1. 

50. Aspics nutantem mimdum, i. e. aspice ut nutat mundus, ' how the world 
shakes' or 'trembles.' Fo7-b. — Convexo pondere limits mundum, 'the world 
of convex mass,' i. e. of convex form or shape, or, in one word, ' the round 
world ' ; Gr. § 211, R. 6. Mundus denotes not the earth, but the woiid, the 
vast circumambient sphere, constituting the universe. Nutantem^ i. e. with 
joy, as at the approach of some deity, 11., cf. vs. 52, 'shaking,' 'trembling. 

51. This verse consists of an enumeration of the particular parts of which 
the mundus consists, and which are gramatically in apposition to it. — 

Terrasque, see Metrical Key and Gr. § 283, IV". Exc. 2, R. 3: see also Gr. 
§ 323, 2, (2). — Profundum, see in Lex. profundus, B. 2. — This verse is re- 
peated in G. 4, 222. 

52. Aspice, laetaniur ut omnia-: aspice is repeated by anaphora, Forb., 
Gr. § 324, 13. — This line contains a repetition of the substance of the two 
preceding ones, and also assigns the cause of the agitation mentioned here 
{laetaniur omnia), and in v. 50 {nutantem mundum), viz. the sensible approach 
of the Golden Age. — Laetaniur, Gr. § 265, note 2, R. 1. The indicative is 
thus u>ed after aspice ut and viden'' ut instead of the subj., in the oratio 
oblipMt, where the writer makes a statement of whose truth he has no doubt, 
and respecting which he makes no appeal to the opinion of another, but pre- 
sents it as something entirely certain, and as it were present and actually 
happening : thus aspice, ut omnia laetaniur, ' behold how all things rejoice ' ! 
aspice, ut omnia laeteniur, 'consider how all things rejoice': cf. E. 5, 7; 
G. 1, 57; A. 8, 192. Wr., Forb. — Omnia, i. e. the whole world, terrae, tractus- 
que maris caelumque profundum. — Saeclo, Gr. § 247, 1, (2), But H., Wch. and 
Wr. connect vs. 50 — 52 as follows: aspice mundum nutantem, terrasque, etc. 
. . . ut laetaniur, i. e. aspice, ut mundus nutans, terraeque, etc. laetaniur. 
The aspice in v. 52 would then be an emphatic repetition or epizeuxis, 
Gr. § 324, 20. 

53. mihi, etc. The wish, simply expressed, would be. Sit mihi tarn longa 
vita ! And since its closing part only could extend to those times, he says, 
tam longae pars ultima vitae, ' the closing part of a life so long.' H. Tarn 
longae, i. e. that when you have attained to manhood I shall be able to cele- 
brate your exploits. Wr. 

54. Spiritus, ' poetic inspiration,' ' poetic vigor.' Spiritus et, i. e. et spiri- 
tus, scil. mihi sit tantus. — Quantum, scil. ejus spiritus. The subject of eritis 
quantum {spiritus); the predicate is eritsat. — Dicere depends on sat, Gr. § 270, 
R. 1. l^ua dicere facta, for ad dicenda tua facta. 

55. The apodosis of the sentence begins at Non me carminibus ; its pro- 
tasis consists of the 53d and 54th vs: cf. Liv. 6, 18. Ostendite modo bellum: 
pacem habebitis. Videant vos par atos ad vim: jus ipsi remittent. Wr. In this 
apodosis and in the two following verses the poet declares that the deeds 

12* 



138 



ECLOGA IV. — NOTES. 



of this youth will be so distinguished that inspired by their magnificence he 
shall be able to surpass all other bards while celebrating their praises. — 
JVec— nee, Gr. § 277, K. 5, (a). 

56. ffuic—huic, instead of hidc—ilU; see Gr. § 207, R. 23, (a) & (5), and 
He, D. in Lex. — Adsit, ' aid,' ' assist.' 

57. Orphei, the Greek dissyllabic dative, Gr. § 54, 5: cf. G. 4,545, 553.-- 
Calliopea, its common form is Calliope, q. v. 

58. Arcadia judice, i. a. pastonbus Arcadicis Judicibus, Forb., cf. on E. 1, 
63. As Pan was especially venerated by the Arcadians, (cf. E. 10, 26), they 
might be expected to regard his performances with particular favor. They 
would also be competent judges: cf. E. 10, 31. 

59. Pan etiam, an emphatic repetition: cf incipe parte puer, infra, vs. 60 
and 62. — Pan dicat, ' let Pan confess,' or ' Pan must confess,' Gr. § 260, R. 6 ; 

•a subj. used as an imperative, occupying the place of the apodosis. See the 
example from Livy (supra, v. 55), of a similar use of the subj. in the pro- 
tasis. 

60. IncijJe, parve puer. The child, whose birth and life were to be so in- 
timately connected with the introduction of the Golden Age, is considered 
both here and in other parts of the Eclogue as still unborn; and the poet here 
expresses his ardent wishes for his speedy appearance and for the blessings 
to follow in the train of that event. — Rlsu. We adopt the opinion of Servius, 
supported by that of Wr., Forb., and many other modern commentators, 
though opposed by Heyne and others, that the risus here mentioned is not to 
be understood as being that of the mother, but of the child, expressive of his 
pleasure in the recognition of his mother : ' Begin by your smile to recognize 
your mother,' i. e. to manifest your recognition of her. This interpretation 
requires us to give to co(jnoscere the meaning Avhich pi-operly belongs to 
agnoscere, but other instances of a similar use of the word may be found in 
the Lexicon under cognosco, 11. : see also agnosco 1 & 3, for the distinctive use 
of these words. 

61. This verse assigns a mothei-'s sorrows as the reason why the infant 
should reward her bj^ his smile. Decern menses denote the period of gesta- 
tion. — Tulerunt, by systole, Gr. § 307, (1). — Fastidia, 'weariness,' 'dis- 
comfort.' 

62. It Avas accounted a bad omen for a child, that he had not received a 
parent's smile. This is alleged as a second reason for his meeting his mother 
with a smile, that he might thus obtain her smile in return. Reference is 
made in this and the following verse to the future position of the boy among 
heroes and gods, vs. 15, sq. and 49 ; and the case of Vulcan is perhaps also 
alhided to, whose appearance at his birth, was so forbidding that his mother 
Juno caused him to be cast out of heaven. Minerva afterwards refused to 
receive him as a husband, and, for a time at least, he was excluded from the 
council of the gods. 



I 



ECLOGA V. NOTES. 139 



ECLOGA v.— DAPHOTS. 

ARGUMENT. 

Two shepherds, Mopsus and Menalcas, having met together, the former dis- 
tinguished for his performance upon the shepherd's pipe, the latter for his 
skill in singing, invite each other to a mutual exhibition of their musical ac- 
complishments, (vs. 1 — 19). After seating themselves in a grotto, Mopsus 
first laments the death of Daphnis, (vs. 20 — 44); then Menalcas following 
celebrates the praises of the same Daphnis, as now enrolled among the gods 
(vs. 56 — 80) and having then exchanged presents they separate. H. 

The original Daphnis was a Sicilian youth, whose name occurs frequently 
in the ancient pastorals. It is supposed that this Eclogue was written B. C. 
42, in which year public rejoicings throughout Italy were ordered, to cele- 
brate the deification of Julius Caesar, and the month Quintilis was named 
Julius after him. According to this conjecture, which is not improbable, 
Virgil celebrates Caesar under the name of Daphnis, though care must be 
taken not to give an allegorical interpretation of every particular. S. & Z. 
In this, as in the 3d Eclogue, the shepherds sing in alternate verses. In the 
introduction, which contrasts Avith that to the third Eclogue, being an inter- 
change of civilities, not of scurrilities, Virgil follows the first Idyl of Theo- 
critus. Con. 

NOTES ON THE FIFTH ECLOGUE. 

1. What does non modify? — Boni, i. e. periti, E., docii, Serv.: see bonus, 
2 in Lex. : so ' good ' for ' expert,' ' skillful,' is used in English, as ' good at 
singing, etc. Cf. Ilic jaculo bonus, hie longe fullente sagiita, A. 9, 572. 

2. Calamos leves, i. e. the sliepherd's pipe composed of ' slender ' reeds. H. — 
Ivjlare. In Virgil the adjectives bonus, ftUx, peritus, etc., are connected with 
the infinitive, as in E. 7, 5; 10, 32; G. 1, 280, 284; A. 9, 772, etc. This con- 
struction the historians used in common with the poets, so far as related to 
paratus, optus, feivx, and the like; but in prose it stopped with those adjec- 
tives that can be united with ad, and with cases where the infinitive differs 
little from the accusative of place. Jahn. The construction is of Greek ori- 
gin : see Gr. § 270, R. 1, and 213, R. 4:.— Dicere^canere.— In regard to the 
figure prolepsis occurring here see Gr. § 323, 1, (4). 

3. Corylis, Gr. § 245, II. 2.— Inter, Gr. § 279, 10, (c) & (d). 

4. Major, scil. naiu. Maximns is in like manner used absolutely, A. 7> 
532. H. — Parere. The particular act of deference intended relates to the 
place where they should seat themselves, in regard to which Mopsus modestly 
objects to the hazel-shade, on account of its shifting and fitful character, and 
suggests the superior advantages of the cool grotto. — Menalca, see note oa 
V. 86.— See also Gr. § 269, R. 2. 



140 ECLOGA V. NOTES. 

6. Zepltyris moiantihus gives the reason why the shadows were incertae. — 
Motantibus, scil. eas. 

6. Antro succedimus. The verb has a two-fold consti'uction, first with sub 
and the ace, umbras, and second with the dat. 

7. Baris labrusca racemis, Gr. § 211, E. 6. The labrusca, or ' wild-vme,' 
being unpruned, was less productive of fruit than the cultivated vine, but 
abundant in its foliage. — Sparsit, see note on E. 4, 52, 

8. Montibus in nostris seems to describe the general character of the 
country in which these shepherds lived. Hence Servaus says : ac si diceret 
inhoc terriiorio. — Tibi certat. The construction of cer to with the dative is 
poetical: see Gr. § 223, K. 2 & (6), and certo, II. in Lex., and cf. E. 8, 55.— 
Amyntas. This name, which is of frequent occurrence in pastoral poetry, 
is here used to denote some shepherd who was a very skillful performer on 
the shepherd's pipe, and who alone dared to vie with Mopsus. Forb. 

9. Quid, siidem cerfet f 'what if he should strive'? The subj. implies 
that he does not so strive. Quid si certat would mean, ' what if he does strive ' ; 
implying that he was guilty of such folly. Mopsus shows by his reply that 
he was irritated by the reference made to his rival. Wr. 

10. Incipe, scil. canere: cf. E. 9, 32. Forb. — PhylUdis ignes, etc., objective 
genitives, 'love for — ,' 'praises of,' 'invectives against,' Con. The names 
seem here to be simply those of pastoral persons, real or feigned, cf. on 
V. 11. 

11. Alconis. The original Alcon, according to Servins, was an expert 
Cretan archer. Hales, see note on E. 3, 52. Forb. — Juryia Codri. Sp. and 
Wr. take Codrus to have been an inferior poet, an enemy of Virgil, and un- 
derstand by jurgia Codri not his attacks on Virgil, but his quarrels with 
some one else. Heyne however supposes him to have been a shepherd, and 
understands Menalcas to refer to some musical contest in which Codi-us par- 
ticipated, resembling perhaps in its general character the contest of Da- 
moetas and Menalcas in the third Eclogue. It so happens, that the expres- 
sions PhylUdis ignes, Alconis laudes, and jurgia Codri admit of easy and 
natural application to the Grecian fables connected with these names, and 
thei'e seems to be nothing except the pastoral rusticity of these shepherds 
that forbids such application, cf. note on v. 10. 

12. Incipe; an emphatic repetition; cf E. 4,60,62. — Scrvabit, see servo, 
II. in Lex. and cf. E. 3, 75. — Tityrus is here the name of a servant. Sp. 

13. Immo haec . . . carmina experiar. Menalcas perceiving that Mopsus 
was offended by his reference to Amyntas, as seeming to imply that in his 
view Amyntas might claim to be the equal of Mopsus in musical skill, 
had attempted to efface the impression by proposing subjects for the song 
of Mopsus. These Mopsus declines, and proposes to rehearse a recent musical 
composition of his, which he claims to be of siTch a character as to evince 
his superiority to his rival. — In viridi cortice, cf. E. 10, 53, sq. 

14. llodidans alterna noiavi, ' alternately setting them to music I jioted 
down the melody,' i. e. after inscribing a certain number of verses on the 
bark, I set then; to music, which too I inscribed. The melody was of two 



ECLOGA V. XOTES. 141 

kinds, that of the voice, as the song was to be sung (cf. v. 48), and that 
of the pipe, which performed a musical strain as a kind of interlude between 
the verses, after which the singing was continued. Hence the music of the 
voice and of the pipe were alternate, and could not be otherwise with a 
single performer. Sp., Wr. But Heyne and Ruaeus explain it, ' singing each 
verse and then by tvu*n writing it down.' — Alterna, i. e. per alterna^ alterna- 
tim; see in Lex. under alternus. 

16. Menalcas now assures Mopsus that what he has said as to Amyntas 
(see V. 8), was spoken only in jest. Keightley observes, that in order "fully 
to understand the following comparisons we must recoUect that the leaves 
of the willow and the olive are of the same form and of the same pale green 
color, while the difference in the value of the trees is immense. The saliunca 
or Celtic reed, in like manner resembles the rose in odor, but is so brittle 
that it could not be woven into garlands, the great use made of the rose by 
the ancients." 

18. Juduio nostro, Gr. § 249, II. 

19. Desine plura. The ace. plura may be considered as the object of de- 
sine ; cf. E. 8, 61; 9, 66, and see desino, A. {y) in Lex., though we may also, 
with Servius, supply dkere; see Gr. § 229, E. 3, 2. — Successimus antro. The 
dialogue from v. 8 to 19 seems to have occurred while the shepherds were on 
tJieir way to the grotto mentioned by Mopsus, vs. 6 & 7. 

20. JExstinctum crudell funere Daplmim. The Sicilian Daphnis is said to 
have pined away with hopeless passion : see the first Idyl of Theocritus, in 
which the death of Daphnis is lamented. — Funere by metonymy for morte; 
see Gr. § 324, 2, and funus, B. 2 in Lex. 

21. Vos — Nymphls. These words are parenthetic. K. — Testes Nymphis, scil. 
fuistis, Gi*. § 211, R. 5, and note. 

22. Qaum, ' while.' — Complexa, see Gr. § 274, R. 3, (a), and note on v. 23. 

23. Atgue deos atque astra vocnt crudelia, ' she calls both the gods and the 
stars cruel ' : cf. Alii alios increpantes timidos vocant, Sail. Cat. 53. — Deos 
atque astra crudelia, Gr. § 205, R. 2, (3). — Astra. This is to be explained 
by reference to the Chaldean astrology; the stars, according to the belief 
of the ancients, exerting an influence on the lives of men. Wr. — Atque — atque 
__f< — (-t: cf. Atque tubas atque anna ferunt crepitantia caelo audita, TibuU. 
2, 5, 73, Forb., Con., and see atque in Lex. III. 5. But Wr., following Wch., 
supplies est after complexa, thus making the conjmiction atque connect vocat, 
the historical pres., to complexa est, the historical perf., both of which tenses 
indicate the same time, Gr. § 145, I. 3, and IV. — Mater. The mother of the 
Sicilian Daphnis was a nymph. If we understand Julius Caesar as being 
here alluded to under the name of Daphnis, maier will be Venus, the alleged 
foundress of the Julian r/ens: cf. E. 9, 47. 

24. Through grief at the death of Daphnis the herdsmen neglect to feed 
and water their herds, and the cattle and even the wild beasts join in the 
lamentation. Cf. E. 9, 24.— /Wis diebus, the days succeeding the death of 
Daphnis. K. 

25. Nulla nee . . . nee; see note on E. 4, 55. 



142 ECLOGA V. NOTES. 

26. Observe the words libavit and attigit, did not ' taste ' or ' touch,' much 
less eat or drhik, Con.— Graminis herbam, pcriphrastically for gramineam her- 
bam, 'the grass,' Jierba being the generic term, including gramen as the spe- 
cies: cf. herba frumenii., G. 1, 134: and Liv. 1, 24; Ov. 10, 84. It may also be 
rendered ' a blade of grass,' see herba in Lex. 

27. Poenos, i. e. Afros. — Ingemuisse depends on loquuntur. The wild moun- 
tains and the woods are by a very bold figure said to make this report re- 
specting the lions by which they were frequented. 

29. £:t, i. q. eiiam, see et, II. 8, in Lex. — Armenias iigres. Bacchus was 
often represented as riding in a chariot drawn by tigers. Armenias, like 
Poenos V. 27, is to be taken as an ejniheton ornans, that simply denotes the 
country in which these animals abound, but is not to be taken as descriptive 
of the animals here mentioned. Lions and tigers were not found in Sicily, 
and their introduction in this connection is to be referred to poetic license. 
Cf. note on E. 1, 55.— Curru, the old dat., Gr. § 89, R. 3.; cf. G. 4, 158. 

30. Thiasos inchicere Bacchi, 'to introduce the Bacchic dance,' TFr., Furb., 
Con. : but Heyne interprets it, ' to lead the Bacchic dances,' i. e. to lead the 
choirs of Bacchantes. 

31. This verse describes the iliyrsus carried by the Bacchantes, H. ; see 
thyrsus in Lex. — Foliis, i. e. of the vine and ivy. 

32. Vitis ut arboribus decori est, Gr. § 211, E. 5, and note. The elms to which 
the vines were trained seem to be meant, K, cf E. 2, 70. 

34. Tu decus, i. e. sic tu eras decus. B. — Decus tuis. Of the two datives 
after est in vs. 32 and 33, the dative of the object only, tuis {amicis), is retain- 
ed here, the dative of the end having been exchanged for a predicate nomina- 
tive, decus ovme, Gr. § 227, R. 4. — Tukrunt, i. e. abstulerunt, Ji. ; see fero, 
L B. 2 in Lex. Cf E. 9, 51. 

35. Ij)sa Pales . . . ipse Apollo, ' even Pales and Apollo.' Apollo is men- 
tioned here with refei-ence to the time when he tended the flocks of king 
Admetus, from which circumstance he derived the surname Nornius, and 
was worshipped as the tutelary deity of herdsmen. As Pales and Apollo 
Nomius were rural deities, they would be the last to forsake the scenes they 
loved, and their absence would be most disastrous to the rustics, who depend- 
ed on their guardianship and protection : see Apollo, Nornius and Pales in Lex. 
The consequences of their absence appear in the following verses, 36 — 39. — 
lieliquit, Gr.§ 209, R. 12, (2), and note 9. 

36. Grandia, 'plump,' 'large,' mai-ks the choice quality of the seed se- 
lected for sowing. Wr. — Before sukis supply in iis, the construction being, 
in iis sulcis, quibus mandavimus,^ etc. For the omission of in see Gr. § 254, 
R. 3. 

37. Itifel/x is used in its primitive sense of 'unproductive,' i. e. of what 
was Tiseful for food; see the derivation and primitive meaning of fdix in Lex. 
Cf G. 2, 239, 314. — Steriles ave.nae. The wild oats seem to be meant. It was 
a common opinion that barley degenerated into wild oats: see Plin. II. N. 18, 
17, 44, 1. This avena or wild oaf, is b}' some thought to be the phuit known 



ECLOGA V. NOTES. 143 

in America by the name of 'chess,' and which is popularly believed to be 
degenerated wheat. See ' chess ' in Webster's Dictiouar}^. 

38. Molli viola. The viola is termed mollis, like otlier flowers (E. 2, 60; 
6, 53), on account of the softness and tenderness of its petals. K. — Purpurea 
narcisso. -This narcissus is so named from its purple calyx. H. 

39. Sj)inis paliurus acuiis, Gr. § 211, K. Q.—Surgit, Gr. § 209, K. 12, (2), 
and note 9. 

40. Spargite humum foliis. This is to be understood of the scattering of 
leaves and flowers at the grave of Daphnis. Cf. Hor. Od. 3, 18, 14. — Inducite 
fontlbus umbras, Gr. § 249, R. 3, ' cover with shade the fountains,' i. e. plant 
trees around them. The tomb of Daphnis was to consist of a tumulus near a 
fountain hidden beneath the foliage of overarching trees : cf. Culex, vs. 387, 
sq. It was customary in the country to make sepulchres near such fountains 
as were much frequented and surrounded by trees, in order that travellers 
might see the inscriptions and be reminded of those buried there; and it 
was the practice, even in Homer's time, to plant trees around tumuli, cf. II. 6, 
419; Forh. 

41. Mandat fieri sibi talia Daphnis. These words, which are here inserted 
parenthetically, refer also to the following verse. Foi'b. — Mandat fieri sibi, 
instead of the usual mandat sibi facienda or ut sibi Jiant, Forb. : see Gr. § 273, 
N. 4; 274, R. 7, {a). 

42. Carmen, see in Lex. A. d. The inscription is contained in the two 
following verses. 

43. Daphnis ego in silvis, i. e. 'I am Daphnis who inhabited the woods ' : 
cf. E. 1, 2. — Hiiic usque ad sidera notus; cf. Sum pius Aeneas . . . fama super 
aeihera noius, A. 1, 378. 

45. Tale tuum carmen — quale. Tale, and in the next verse quale are used 
like triste in E. 3, 80, q. v. and note. See Gr. § 205, R. 7, (2). 

46. The order is, quale (est) sopor in gramine fessis ; Gr. § 202, I. 2. 

47. In this line the grammatical subject of the verb (est understood) is 
the infinitive restinguere, which stands in the same relation here that sopor 
does in the preceding verse; Gr. § 202, 5, R. 2; 269.~-Aguae — rivo, see on 
E. 8, 87. 

48. Sed, ' but also,' ' but even,' see in Lex. II. B. 2. — Magislrum. Who 
had been the musical instructor of Mopsus does not appear, but it was proba- 
bly some shepherd. 

49. Alter ab illo, ' the next to him ' ; Gr. § 205, R. 1 : see alter, 3 in Lex. 
for its meaning when used numerically. See also ab, I. A. 4 in Lex. for the 
use of this preposition in the designation of distance in rank, etc. 

50. Tamen and quocumque modo intimate the respectful modesty of Me- 
nalcas in estimating his own skill as a musician when compared with 
Mopsus. — Quocumque modo, ' in whatever way,' i. e. * as best I may,' ' as well 
as I can ' : Servius says, ut possum. — Haec nostra, scil. carmina, ' these my 
lays.' 

51. Dicemus, see note on v. 2, and E. 3, 55. — Tollere ad astra is simply 
' to extol to the stars,' i. e. to praise highly, and does not mean ' to deify ' : 



144 ECLOGA V. NOTES. 

so also ad astra ferre in the next verse. Cf. the examples under fero^ II. 
B. 1, in Lex. 

52. Daphnin. For the sake of the metre Virgil here uses this form of the 
ace. which seems not to have been employed by him in any other instance. — 
Amavit nos quoque Daphnis. Menalcas had previously spoken of Daphnis as 
the friend of Moi>sus ( Bapknim tuum tolknws ), he now claims him to have 
been his own friend also. 

53. An quicquam nobis sit majus ? ' Could anything be more highly prized 
by me'? Gr. § 260, IJ. 5. — JVuLls, Gr. § 226. — Tali munere ; 'than such a 
favor.' 

54. Puer, sell. Daplinis.— Cantari diymis, Gr. § 270, R. 1 & (i); 244, R. 2, 
(6); 264, note 6; cf. dif/nus amari, v. 89. The 54th and 55th lines assign the 
reasons for the high estimation in which, according to v. 53, he held these 
verses of Menalcas ; — he prized them 1st, on account of their subject (puer 
ipse fuit cardari dlgnus), and 2d, on account of the high character given to 
them by Stimicon, who had previoi;sly heard them. 

55. Stimicon, is here the name of some shepherd. — Ista carmina, ' those 
verses of yours ' : see this use of iste to indicate a reference to the person 
addressed, under iste in Lex. 

56. The deification of Daphnis is now celebrated by Menalcas, in 25 
verses, (vs. 56 — 80), the same number employed by Mopsus in lamenting 
his death. — Candidas, see in Lex. under a.; ' in his (divine) beauty,' Con.;= 
splendens, micans, 'of dazzling splendor,' H.; 'serene' Sp., Wr., Forb.;= 
bonus, benignus, Sei-v. — Tnsuetum: see its passive signification in Lex. — Limen 
by synecdoche for portas. — Olympi, see Olympus, 2, in Lex. 

58. The poet describes the general joy felt by all things, animate and in- 
animate, on account of the deification of Daphnis, vs. 58 — 64. Cf. with this 
passage, Isaiah, 14, 7, 8: " The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; they break 
forth into singing. Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Leba- 
non, saying. Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us." — 
Ergo, see II. in Lex. — Cetera, because rus comprehends both woods and 
fields, Wch. 

59. Dryadas, 'the wood-nymphs,' called also Hamadryadas, (from aim^ 
* together with ' and ^ps), from their coming into existence and perishing 
along with their peculiar tree. Forb. See Gr. § 85, Exc. 2. 

61. Bonus, i. q. benignus; so in v. 65. Wr. — Olia, see in Lex. C, and cf. 
on E. 1, 6. 

62. Ipisi monies, ' the mountains themselves,' ' the very mountains.' — 
Jactani, ' send forth,' ' raise.' 

63. Inionsi, i. e. silvosi, incaedui, Serv. ; ' uncleared,' Con. — Carmina sonant, 
' send forth songs.' 

64. Deus, deus ille, Mennlca. Menalcas seems to hear the very rocks and 
vineyards exclaiming, ' he is a god, a god, Menalcas.' Wch. 

65. Bonus, see on v. 61. — Felix, see in Lex. II. A. — Quattuor aras, Gr. 
§ 238, 2. He builds two altars for each, that more abundant sacrifices may 
be ofi'ered: Cf. G. 4, 538, sq. Voss, Sp. 



ECLOGA Y. NOTES. 145 

G6. Ei ( e duas t'lhl. The dative seems to depend on conditas, dicatns or the 
like, understood. Servius supplies feci before duas. — Duas altaria Phoebo. 
Aras is to be supplied with duas, and altaria is to be considered as in appo- 
sition to aras. Servius explains it, duas aras FJioebo, quae sint aliaiia. 
Wagner e:splains the difference between arae and altaria by the different 
uses to which they were applied; upon the arae incense, fruits and the like 
were offered; upon the altaria victims were burnt. See the distinction made 
by Freund under altaria in Lex. — Phoebo, because the birth-day of Julius 
Caesar was at the time of the games in honor of Apollo. Wr. 

67. In addition to the birth-day sacrifices Menalcas now speaks of two 
other annual festivals which he intends to celebrate in honor of Daphnis ; 
one of these was to take place at the time of harvest in Italy, the other in 
cold weather; of. vs. 70, 75: Voss, 8p., Wr. — The offerings made in sacrifice 
to demigods or heroes consisted of milk, oil and wine, and not of slain vic- 
tims. H. — Pocula Una, i. e. two upon each altar, in the same manner as two 
were placed before each guest at a feast, Sp. ; see Gr. \ 119, III. 

68. Crateras duos, i. e. one upon each altar, for they were of larger size 
and capacity than the pocula. Sp. 

69. Inprimis, ' especially,' see in primis or imprimis, under primus, II. B. in 
Lex. — Convivia, these were the feasts that folloAved the sacrifices; Voss, Sp. — 
Multo Baccho, see Bacchus, 2, b, in Lex. 

71. iVowMTO wector, ' a new kind of nectar.' This expression implies the 
recent introduction of the Ariusian wine. It is called nectar as being a very 
delicious wine. Wr. 

72. Mihi, scil. sacra facienti, as I sacrifice. Forb. 

73. Saltantes Satyros imitabitur, ' shall imitate the dancing Satyrs,' i. e. 
shall dance like the Satyrs, in a rude or uncouth manner; cf. G. 1, 350, ff. 

74. Haec, i. e. these honors, viz. such as are mentioned in vs. 67 — 73. 

75. Reddemus Nymphis. Kespecting the feast of the Nymphs, or the time 
when it was observed, nothing seems to be known beyond what may be 
deduced from this passage. — Quum lustrabimus agros, ' when we make a 
lustration of the fields,' i. e. a circuit of the fields in the lustral sacrifice. 
The lustration of the fields, otherwise called the Ambarvalia, occurred near 
the end of April, at which time the harvest commenced in Italy, Wr. 

76. Dum juga montis aper, etc. Similar expressions to denote a long pe- 
riod of time may be found in A. 1, 607, sq. 

77. Dum rore cicadae. That the cicadae were nourished by the dew was 
an ancient opinion, confirmed by Hesiod and Theocritus.— i)M7n — dumque — 
du?n, cf. E. 6, 67, and note. 

79. Ui Baccho Cererique. To say that vows should be made to Daphnis 
was equivalent to saying that he should be invoked as a god. Bacchus and 
Ceres are mentioned as the chief patrons of the husbandman. Con. 

80. Afjricolae facient. Daphnis was to be reckoned among the rural 
deities. — Damnabis tu quoque votis, ' you also ' (i. e. like the other gods) ' wiU 
condemn them' (i. e. the agricolae who have made vows to you) 'to fulfil 
their vows ' (viz. by granting that for which they ask); see Gx". § 217, R, 3, (6.) 

13 



146 ECLOGA VI. NOTES. 

According to Macrobius, Sat. 3, 2, one who had bound himself by a vow was 
called reus voii, ' the obligor iu respect of the vow ' ; while damnatus voti or 
voto signified ' a debtor in respect of the vow,' i. e. one whose desire has been 
granted, and who is therefore under obligations to pay what he had promised 
as a condition of obtaining his desire. 

81. Quae tibi, quae, Gr. § 324, 20. 

82. Venientis, 'rising.' — Sibilus is the \]^idipiiiia of Theocritus, 1,1, Cb»., 
•the whispering' or 'murmuring'; 'the breathing' or 'soughing.' 

85. Ante. Mopsus having spoken of his wish to make some appropriate 
present to Menalcas for his verses, Menalcas replies, Hac te nos fragili dona- 
bimus ante cicuta : — ante, i. e. aniequnm tu me dono ornes. H. — Nos is emphatic, 
distinguishing the intended act of Menalcas from that of Mopsus, Gr. § 209, 
R. 1, and (b). — Cicuta, meton. for Jistula. In E. 2, 36 cicutis is to be under- 
stood of the reeds of which the shepherd's pipe was composed; so too in 
Lucr. 5, 1383: see note on E. 2, 36. 

86. Haec (scil. Jistula) nos . . . docuit, etc. ' this (pipe) taught me,' etc., 
i. e. with this pipe as the accompaniment I first sung Foi'mosum Corydon, etc. 
Menalcas refers to the first and second Eclogues, and Virgil perhaps wishes 
by refen-ing to them, to have it understood that he was himself represented 
in this Eclogue in the person of Menalcas. 

89. Tulit, see fero, I. B. 6 in Lex. — Aniigenes is probably the name of a 
youth beloved by JIopsus. — Et erat, i. q. et tamea or quamquam erat. Forb. — 
Ft erat turn dignus amnri refers probably to the youthful beauty of Antigenes, 
now changed by time. — Dignus amari, see on v. 54. 

90. Foi'mosum. paribits nodis atque acre. The crook was made of knotty 
wood, with an iron point at one end fastened on by a ring of brass, Voss, or it 
was adorned with brass rings or studs, K. — Menalca. A vocative at the end 
of an addi-ess and at the close of a line is not uncommon in Virgil; cf. E. 3, 
74, 76, 79, 90; 5, 4, 64; 9, 18. 



ECLOGA YL— VARUS. 

ARGU3IE>'T. 

L. Alfenus Varus had been appointed by Octavianus, B. C. 40, a. u. c. 714, 
to preside over Cisalpine Gaul, in the room of Pollio, who belonged to the 
pai-ty of Antony, and had been driven from his command. With Varus were 
associated Corn. Gallus, and Octavius Musa, the former of whom was a 
poet and Roman knight. Varus and Virgil had together received instruc- 
tion in philosoph}^ from Syro the Epicui-ean. Virgil, who had fled to Rome 
from violence offered to him by the soldier^'-, even after his lands had been 
once restored to him, returned home B. C. 39, and, to conciliate Varus, com- 
posed this Eclogue. S. ij- Z. 



ECLOGA VI. — NOTES. 147 

In the exordiiiin the poet declares that after an unsuccessful effort at epic 
poetry he had been compelled to return to pastoral verse, but that this would, 
not be unsuitable for celebrating the praises of Varus (vs. 1 — 12). He next 
relates how two Satyrs with the nymph Aegle having come upon Silenus 
while sleeping, had compelled him to sing them a song (vs. 13 — 30). The 
poet then sets forth concisely the subject of the song, which is mythical. 
Silenus having first spoken briefly of the creation of the world (vs. 31 — 40), 
then introduces promiscuously other fables, among which he treats somewhat 
more fully of the unfortunate love of Pasiphae (vs. 45 — 60). The poem then 
turns abruptly to Gallus and to a commemoration of his poetry (vs. 64 — 73), 
after which it returns again to fables (vs. 74 — 84). Evening now approach- 
ing Silenus terminates his song. H. 

The poet has been alike happy in the subject of this Eclogue and in his 
treatment of it. The naiTatiA'-e is distinguished in all its parts by the most 
agreeable and beautiful images. Silenus sings of the origin of things ac- 
cording to the views of the most ancient poets and philosophers, and then 
ranges at large through fables which admitted of the highest poetic orna- 
ment. H. 

The title of this Eclogue is, in many editions, Silenus. 

NOTES ON THE SIXTH ECLOGUE. 

1. P/-i/?i(7, an adjective belonging to Thalia m&tQSidi oi primum, 'at first,' 
modifying diynata esf, Jahn, Wr., For'b.; see Gr. § 205, R. 15: cf. E. 4, 18; 
G. 1, 12. Some commentators however understand Virgil as claiming to be 
the first to introduce pastoral poetry among the Romans. — Syracosio, see un- 
der Syraciisne in Lex. Theocritus, the pastoral poet whom Virgil imitated, 
was a native of Syracuse. See on E. 4, 1. — Dignata est like erubuit in v. 2, 
has reference to the inferior dignity of pastoral when compared with epic 
poetry. 

2. Nostra Thalia. Thalia, who is commonly called the muse of comedy, 
is here spoken of as the muse of pastoral poetry also. — Silvas habitare, i. e. 
silvns et vara canere, Forh. ; cf. E. 4, 2. 

3. Quum canerera, ' when I was about to sing,' Gr. § 145, II. 4. — Reges et 
proelia, i. e. carmen epicum ; epic poetry is here indicated by its prominent 
actors and events. — Cijnthius, i. e. Apollo. 

4. Vdlit, ' pulled.' Touching a person's ear was a common way of remind- 
ing him of a thing, the ear being regarded as the seat of memory; hence it 
was the established mode of summoning a witness, Con.-^ see under contestor 
in Lex. — Tityre is a general name for a shepherd, but is used here, as in 
E. 1, to denote Virgil himself. — Pingues is a predicate, like deductum. 

5. Pascere oportet, Gr. ^ 269, and R. 2. — Deductum carmen, ' an humble 
strain.' This is said of pastoral, in distinction from the higher epic poetry. 
Deductum, literally, ' fine-spun,' hence ' slender ' : see deduce, II. B. 2 & 3, and 
deductus, 2, under deduce, in Lex. 



148 ECLOGA yi. NOTES. 

6. Sujjer tibi erimt, by Iniesis, Gr. § 323, 4, (S), fov tihl $npererunt.—Dkeve 
lavdts tuas, viz. in epic verse. 

7. CiJj)ia7ii, Gr. ^ 264, 6. — Tristla candere bc-lla, see in Lex. cando, I. 1, c. 
The wars in which Varus Lad participated and even the person of Varus 
himself are involved in obscurity. 

8. Compare E. 1, 2, and notes. 

9. No7i injussa, refemng to the commands of Apollo, vs. 8 — 5. — Tamen, 
1. e. if uotwithstanduig the humble and unpretending character of these lays. 
— Haec qiioque, ' these lines also,' as well as the statelier epics in which others 
will extol your deeds in war. — Si quis — si quis, an emphatic repetition ( Gr. 
§ 324, 20), expressing the very modest expectations of the poet in regard 
to the success of his humble pastoral. 

10. Cnptus, see cajpio, II. 2, a. y. in Lex. — Amove, scil. horum, i. e. these 
lays. — Myricae and nemus are put for the country and the shepherds who 
Avould repeat the song; cf. E. 4, 2. H. 

11. Gratior ulla est, scil. pagina. 

12. Quam, scil. ilia. — Pagina=carmen. H. 

13. Pergite, see in Lex. i^err/o, II. 2, b. — Chromis and Muasylos are the 
names of two young satyrs. 

14. Somno Jacentem, ' buried in sleep,' ' lying asleep.' Somno the ablative 
of cause, like moi^te jacens, Ov. Fast. 5, 705. 

15. Infiatum venas, Gr. § 234, II. E. 2: cf. on j^orem E. 1, 55. — JaccJio, i. e. 
%rlno. 

16. Serta. At feasts where much wine was drank, the guests used to 
wear garlands on their heads: see Hor. Sat. 2, 3, 256; Od. 1, 38, 2; 1, 17, 27; 
Plaut. Amph. 3, 4. — Capiti, Gr. § 224, K. 1, (a). — Procid, tantuvi cajnti delapsa, 
jacebani. Commentators have found a difficulty in reconciling these two 
clauses, and in explaining how a garland, that had merely fallen from his 
head, should be lying at a distance. Servius explains procul as equivalent 
in this place to jirope, i. e. juxta, 'near.' This explanation is approved by 
Wr. and Forb., who remark that jrrocul is sometimes used to denote a small 
distance, and consider the clause tantum capiti delapsa as explanatory of pro- 
cul, ' near at hand, having merely fallen from his head.' Turnebus, as quoted 
by Kuaeus, interprets it, 'his garland was lying at a distance, having merely 
fallen from his head,' i. e. having received no injury, not being torn or 
trampled upon, and hence well suited to the playful use to which it was 
presently applied. Voss insists that tantum may signify 'just then,' ' i-ecent- 
ly,' 'hardly,' 'scarcely,' (see tantum quod, under inntiis, II. B. 2, b. in Lex.; 
but quod is here wanting). Jahn adopts this interpretation of Voss, and adds 
that Silenus had continued drinking until at length, and just before the en- 
trance of the youths, he had fallen upon the ground, and that in falling his 
garland had been thrown at a distance from him. Of these various interpre- 
tations we should prefer that of Servius if it could be shown that jjrocul Avas 
elsewhere used as equivalent to prope ; but admitting that the word some- 
times signifies, at a small distance, yet it seems always to convey the idea 
of c/w<(/nce (greater or less) in distinction from nearness. Adopting therefore 



ECLOGA VI. NOTES. 149 

the supposition that Silenus had fallen upon the ground, we would translate 
the passage so as to give to each word its usual signification : ' his garland 
was lying at a distance, having fallen so far from his head,' i. e. when he 
himself fell. 

17. Gravis, ' heavy,' ' ponderous,' referring to its size and capacity and not 
to its contents. — Attrita, ' well worn ' ; Servius says, frequenti potu. — Pende- 
hat, scil. a manu. 

18. Nam introduces the reason of the course pursued by these youth. — 
Ambo, Gr. § 118, R. 1. For other examples of this form of the accusative 
masculine in Virgil see G. 4, 88 ; A. 12, 342. 

19. Injiciunt, scil. illi. — Ij)sis ex vincula sertis ; an uncommon arrangement, 
the prep, being separated from its noun by a word not modifying that noun ; 
cf. E. 9, 36. — Ipsis ex^ i. e. ex ipsis, Serv. — Vincula ex sertis, see ex, C. 3 
in Lex. 

20. Addit se sociam timidisque supervenit=^addit se sociam iimidis superve- 
niens, the active verb when thus connected by et to the preceding verb being 
put for the participle, superveniens, Wr., Forb., ' coming,' or ' coming unex- 
pectedly upon.' — Aegle, Gr. § 18, 3. 

21. Aeyle, Gr. § 324, 17. — Naiadum pulcherrima ; cf. Candida Nats, E. 2, 46. 
Na-i-a-dum, a quadrisyllable. — Videnti, scil. illi, 'opening his eyes,' 'awak- 
ening.' For the case of videnti see Gf. § 211, R. 5, 1. 

24. Satis est potuisse videri, ' it is enough that you should appear to have 
been able to bind me.' — He acknowledges himself to have been completely in 
their power, since they might as easily have bound him with cords as with 
garlands, and hence he submits to their demands. The poets always repre- 
sent those who are inspired, as unwilling to give responses. Compare what 
is said of Proteus, G. 4, 396, sq. 

25. Cognoscite^=audite, 'hear,' 'listen to.' — Vobis, i. e. Chromidi et Mnasylo. 

26. Iluic, i. e. Aefjle. — Aliud mercedis, ' another sort of pay,' Gr. § 212, 
R. 3, and note 2. — Simid, i. e. ' saying these things,' ' with these words.' Wr. 

27. In numerura, ' to the measure,' i. e. in cadence Avith the song. V. 
Cf. Luduni in numerumque exultant, Lucr. 2, 631. 

28. Ludere, ' frisking,' ' dancing,' Gr.§ 272, R. 5. So motare, intensive, 
* moving to and fro,' ' waving.' 

29. Parnasia rupes, see Parnasus in Lex. — Gaudet — mirantur. Observe 
this use of the present instead of the perfect indefinite in comparisons. Wch. 

30. Rhodope et Ismarus, mountains of Thrace, where Orpheus lived and 
where he mourned his lost Eurydice. — Orphea, a dissyllable by synaeresis. 
Many ]Mss. and editions have miratur for mirantur. . 

31. Silenus now sings of the origin of all things ; and here Virgil follows 
the doctrines of Epicurus. Wr. — Namque canebat. As nam introduces the 
reason of the delighted interest manifested by all things, animate and inani- 
mate, we perceive that they were affected not by his music only, but still 
more by the sweetness and sublime revelations of his song. — Uii, ' how ' ; so 
ut, V. 33. After verbs of perceiving and declaring ut may often be translated 
'how'; Rarashom's Lat. § Gr. 279, 1. Cf. Canit ut,y. 64, sq.; videbat uii, A. 1, 

13* 



150 ECLOGA VI. NOTES. 

466. — Magmim per inane, ' tliroughout the great void ' ; cf. in English ' the 
mighty void,' Pope. Inane, ' empty space,' ' chaos.' This space, which Epi- 
cui'us supposed to exist before the creation of the world, is called ' empty ' 
because although containing ' atoms ' yet these were so small as to be invisi- 
ble. From the gradual union of certain of these atoms, possessing affinities 
for each other, came what are commonly called the ' elements ' of things, 
viz. earth, air, fire and water. Wr. — Concta, 'collected,' 'assembled,' i.e. 
before any of these atoms had separated from the rest and formed the ele- 
ments, as above stated. 

32. Semina, 'the atoms,' 'elements' or 'first principles' of things, of 
which the earth, air, fire and water were composed. — Instead of the simple 
terms terra, aer and aqua, Virgil here uses poetically and by synecdoche 
ierrae, anima and mare: so anima, 'air,' Lucr. 1, 715. This verse affords 
also an example of the figure polysyndeton, or redundancy of conjunctions, 
Gr. § 323, 2, (2j. 

33. Liquidl ignis, ^ puve,^ ^ clear — •' Cf.liquidi ignis, Lucr. 6, 205; Uquidum 
caelum, Ov. Met. 1,23; lujuidum aether a, ib.l,Q7, 68', Uquidi Inminis, Lucr. 5, 
282 : Servius says, liquidus, i. e. purus, aetherius. — Ut, ' how,' cf. on v. 31. — 
Exordia omnia, ' all beginnings,' i. e. all things coming into existence. — His 
primis, scil. seminibus. 

34. Tener mundi orbis. The Avorld is called ' soft ' or ' tender,' as being 
still new, and not hardened by time : cf. Mundi novitaiem et moUia terrae arva, 
Lucr. 5, 780. Mundi orbis, ' the world,' in its widest sense, ' the universe.' 
Voss, who is followed by Forb. and Wr. in his smaller edition, takes mundi 
orbis to be equivalent to caelum, and explains tener by ex tenerrimis atomis 
conjlatum. — Concreverit, 'formed by stiffening' or 'hardening,' 'formed.' 
See also Gr. § 209, R. 12, (8). The poet seems to have changed in his mind 
the tense of the leading verb canebat to the present canil, and hence subjoins 
the perfects concreverit and coeperit; see Gr. § 258. 

35. Turn durare, etc., i. e. turn (tanit ut) durare solum coeperit, etc. 
Durare^=idurescere, see duro, I. (/?) in Lex. The order in which Silenus sung 
of the successive events of the creation, an order ayjparently intended to cor- 
respond with the actual succession, is marked by the particles turn, v. 35, 
jam, V. 37, hinc, v. 41, then by his adjungit, v. 43, then by turn, vs. 61, 62 & 64. 
— Discludere Nerea ponto, ' to shut up Nereus by himself in the sea.' This 
is supplementary and consequential to the clause, turn ditr are solum ; — ns the 
ground condensed it caused the waters separated from it to flow together and 
form the sea. Nereus is often used by metonymy for the sea but is here to 
be taken for the waters of which the sea was ultimately formed. Nerea, a 
Greek accusative, Gr. § 54, 5 ; 80, IIL ; 86. 

36. Rerum formas expresses generally what is developed in detail, vs. 
37 — 40 : ' shapes ' are opposed to the shapeless chaos. Con. 

37. Jamque, etc., i. e. et jam canit ut terrae stupeant, etc. The time of the 
dependent verb, Avhich at v. 34 was changed from the pluperfect to the per- 
fect, now becomes the present, Avhich renders the narrative the more vivid. — 



ECLOGA YI. NOTES. 151 

Noimm stupeani lucescere solem, ' wonder at the shining of the new sun.' 
Stupeo with the ace. and inf. is an unusual construction. 

38. Allhis at</ue, i. e. atque aldus. — Wagner connects aliius with cadant, 
and considers it equivalent to ex alio, as previously to this time no showers 
had fallen and no clouds had been formed. Submotis nublbus therefore does 
not denote the removal of the clouds from a lower to a superior elevation, 
but their development and elevation from the previous chaotic mixture of wet 
and dry. IJuaeus and Wch. connect alt'ius with submotis. 

39. Sllvae=arbores. — Quu7n prinium, ' when first.' — Stirgere, see in Lex. 
II. A. 2, b. 

40. lynaros. Commentators are divided upon the question whether this 
word is to be taken here in its active or in its passive signification. Wagner, 
who is followed by Forb., Lade., and Con., contends for the active significa- 
tion, ' not knowing,' ' unacquainted with them.' This supposes the moun- 
tains after having been for a while tenantless to have seen the hitherto un- 
known forms of animals making their appearance here and there amidst the 
forests with which they were clad. Jahn and others take ignaros in the 
passive sense. 

41. Hinc lapldes Pyrrhae jactos. According to ancient fables mankind 
were once destroyed by a deluge, all but Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha. 
After the waters had subsided, these two survivors were directed by an ora- 
cle to throw behind them the bones of their great mother, magnae parentis 
ossa. Concluding that stones were meant, they followed the direction, and 
the stones thrown by Deucalion became men, and those thi'own by Pyrrha 
became women. See Deucalion and Pyrrha in Lex. and cf. Ov. Met. 1, 348, sq. 
— Saturnia regna, i. e. the Golden Age. The order of events is not strictly 
followed, as the reign of Saturn was anterior to the deluge of Deucalion 
and the restoration of the human race, and the theft of Prometheus prior to 
both those events. Jahn remarks that ?^eyer< has three distinct objects; 1st, 
lajndes Pyrrhae jactos ; 2d, Saturnia regnn. and 3d, Caucasias volucres furtum- 
que Promethei, these last forming in reality but one object; and that the poet 
has made use of but one connective, which is placed between the 2d and 3d 
objects, Caucasiasque. Cf. G. 1, 138. 

42. Caucasias volucres, etc. See the fable alluded to under Prometheus in 
Lex. — Fofefres is here used for the singular, see on E. 4, 49. — Promethei, a, 
trisyllable. The ei in genitives from proper names ending in the diphthong 
eus is always made a diphthong by Virgil. 

43. His adjungit. The object of rtfT/wn^zV is the two clauses following it.— 
Hylnn, etc., construe thus, qiio fonte relictum nautae clamassent Hylan. — • 
Hylan, see in Lex. — Nautae, i. e. the sailors who went with Hercules in the 
Argonautic expedition, the Argonauts. — Quo fonte, i. e. ad quern fontem. 
Forb. 

44. Clamassent, Gr. § 265. What is the object of clamassent? — Ut, *so 
that ' ; see ut, II. in Lex. — Hyld, HyUi.. The final a of this Gi'eek vocative is 
long, Gr. § 294, 1, I^xc, and here in the first ITyla, a is not elided and its 
quantity is preserved long by the arsis ; in the second the final a is not elided 



152 



ECLOGA VI. NOTES. 



but is sliortened before the following vowel; see Gr. § 305, 1 & (2). Freund 
however considers the a of the second Hyla elided and its y lengthened ; see 
in Lex. under Ifylas. — What is the object of sonaret ? 

46. Pasiphaen solatur, etc., ' he solaces Pasiphae with,' etc., instead of 
*he sings how Pasiphae solaced herself with the love of the snow white bull.' 
See Pasiphae in Lex. Cf. a similar phraseology in v. 62, sq. 

47. Silenus addresses Pasiphae as if she was before him, wandering 
through the mountains in quest of her beloved bull. K. — Virgo. Pasiphae 
was the wife of Minos ; see virgo, IL A. in Lex. — With this verse compare 
E. 2, 69. 

48. Proetides ; see their story in Lex. Their transformation was but im- 
aginary, the result of hysterical or hypochondriacal affection. H.—Falsls, 
'imaginary,' 'fancied.' 

49. Vila, scil. Proetidum. — Secuta est, ' desii-ed,' 'sought'; see in Lex. 
U. 2. 

50. CoUo, the dative; cf. G. 3, 407. — Timuisset aratrum. The ancients 
ploughed with heifers as well as oxen. K. 

52. Tu is emphatically opposed to ille, v. 53. — In moniibus erras, viz. in 
search of the admired bull. 

53. Ille, scil. juvencus. — Latns nlveum f alias. Latus^ the Greek ace, cf. 
E. 1, 55, and note. Fultus has its last syllable long by the arsis, Gr. § 309, 
2, (1). We have hex'e a beautiful piece of imagery, a snow-white bull lying 
on a bank of flowers beneath the dense shade of the dark-green holm-oak, 
and there quietly chewing the cud. K. 

54. Nigra, i. e. 'dark green.' H. — Pallentes, 'pale-green,' Wr. ; cf. on E. 5, 
16. A contrast was probably intended between the color of the grass and the 
dark green of the ilex, Con. 

65. Aliquam, scil. vaccam. — Claudile, etc. ; these are exclamations of Pasi- 
phae herself 

56. Salius, ' the forest-pastures," ' the glades ' or ' open spaces ' in forests, 
whei-e cattle pastured and wild beasts wandered, called vacui, G. 3, 143, aperti, 
A. 11, 904, and so closed here, as tliey are hedged round in hunting by nets and 
watchers,(G. 1, 140, A. 4, 121), to prevent the animals from breaking out, Con. 

57. Si qua vestigia, literally, ' if any tracks.' In such connections si re- 
quires in English that something should be supplied before it, as, 'to see,' 
' to try,' ' to ascertain,' etc. Ruaeus here supplies vt videamus. See si, B. IL 
in Lex. — Ferant sese obcia, ' offer themselves,' ' meet ' ; see fero, B. /?, and 
obvius, in Lex. 

58. Errabunda bovis vestigia, bj"- hypallage of the adjective, for errahundi 
bovis vestigia, Gr. § 323, 4, (3). — Forsitan introduces a fresh hope. Con. 

59. Captum, ' allured ' ; see capio, IL 2, y, in Lex. 

60. Stabula Gortynia, ' Cretan stalls,' Gortyna being celebrated, according 
to Servius, for the herds of the Sun, whose daughter Pasiphae was, Con. 

61. il/rra<aw, (' charmed with,' 'who admired') mala puellam. Atalanta 
is meant, q. v. in Lex. The stratagem by which she was vanquished in the 
foot-race was the throwing of golden apples by Hipporaenes, which Atalanta, 



ECLOGA YI. NOTES. 153 

allured by their beauty, stopped to pick up, by wliicli means her lover gained 
the victory. — Hesperidum mala is either used for golden apples in general, or 
the poet in representing the apples thus thrown by Hippomenes as being from 
the garden of the Hesperides, departs from the common tradition, according 
to which those apples were taken from Cyprus. H., Forh. 

62. Phaethontiadas, a Greek ace. Gr. ^ 85, Exc. 2. Phaethon attempting 
to drive the chariot of the sun, was unable to manage the horses, which ran 
away and put the world in great danger. Jupiter thereupon struck him with 
a thunderbolt and he fell into the river Po. — Musco circumdat, etc. ' he en- 
velops the sisters of Phaethon in the moss of a bitter bark,' etc. Sllenus is 
represented as doing that to the sisters of Phaethon which the fable related 
by him showed to have happened to them ; i. e. he sings how the sisters of 
Phaethon were enveloped in a mossy bark and were chariged to tall folders. 
Cf. V. 46 and the note. They are more conmionly represented as changed to 
poplars ; see A. 10, 190, and compare the story as told in Ov. Met. 2, 325, sq. 

64. Adfiumina, see in Lex. ad. A. 3. — Galium. Virgil next compliments 
the poetical talents of his friend C. Cornelius Gallus, by representing Silenus 
as relating a siipposed interview between Gallus and the Muses. 

65. Aonas montes. Among these mountains were Helicon and Cithaeron. 
Aonas is here an adj. for Aonios. Sp. — Canit ut duxerii, Gr. § 258. The perf. 
subj. follows the present or the perfect, when the event, denoted by the verb 
in the subj., is represented as already past, Eamshorn's' Lat. Gr. § 184. 
Cf. also note on v. 31. — Sororum, i. e. the Muses, who are often called the 
sisters. Wr. 

66. Viro, scil. Gallo. — Phoebi chorus, i. e. the Muses. 

6T. Ui Linus. We have here three clauses depending on canit, to each of 
which, ut, ' how ' is prefixed, and it is worthy of remark that Avhile tlie 
second is connected to the first by que, the third is without connective. 
Cf. dum — dumque — dum, E. 5, 17. Wch. — Divino carmine pastor, Gr. § 211, 
E. 6. — Pastor. There seems no evidence that Linus was supposed to have 
ever been a shepherd, but it was natural for a pastoral poet to conceive of 
him as such. Con. 

68. J.pio, ' celery ' : see, respecting its use for garlands, apium in Lex, — 
Crines ornatus, a limiting ace, cf. E. 1, 55, and note. 

69. Hos calamos, i. e. hanc Jistulam. R. 

70. Ascraeo seni, i. e. Hesiodo. — Quos ante, scil. dederunt. Wr. 

71. The power here ascribed to the music of Hesiod is everywhere attri- 
buted to that of Orpheus, (cf. E. 3, 46), but for its transfer to Hesiod there 
seems to be no other authority. H. 

72. His, scil. calamis. — Tibi, i. e. a te, Gr. § 225, H. — Dicatur, see in Lex. 
I. B. 3. — It appears that Gallus either translated, according to Servius or 
imitated a poem of Euphorion in which was celebrated the Grynian grove. 

73. Ne quis sit lucus, ' that there may be no grove.' — Quo se p)lus jactet 
Apollo, i. e. quo magis glorietur, ' in which he may glory more,' ' may take more 
pride.' Quo, Gr. § 247, (2). Jactet, see in Lex. G. (y). 



154 ECLOGA VI. NOTES. 

74. Virgil now returns to the rehearsal of ancient fables. This verse, 
when taken in connection with what follows, has inherent difficulties of con- 
struction, not easily solved, and the readings of the best editions are various, 
although the manuscripts, with perhaps a single exception, exhibit the read- 
ing given in the text. With that reading the construction is as follows (the 
words ut narracent being supplied from v. 78); Quid loquar aut ut narraverit 
Scyllam Xisi, quam fama., etc. — aut ut muiatos Terei narraverit artus ; which 
maybe thus explained: 'why should I say either how he told of Scylla 
(daughter) of Nisus, whom the report has followed, that gii'ded about her 
white groin by barking monsters she hai-rassed, etc. — or how he told of the 
limbs of Tereus changed,' i. e. of the transformation of Tereus. Quid loquar 
denotes that the writer, approaching the conclusion of his work, does not 
intend to dwell upon the remaining topics, but to treat them cursorily; 
see also Gr. § 23-5, E. 11. Scyllam Nisi. The omission o? filius and Jilia 
with the genitive of the father's name, is of frequent occun-ence, Gr. § 211, 
R. 7, and is of Greek origin. The student will find, by reference to Scylla 
in the Lex., that there were two mythic characters of that name, and that 
it was not the daughter of Nisus, but the daughter of Phoi'cj'-s that was 
changed into the sea-monster mentioned in the text ; Avhich fact has exposed 
Virgil to the charge of erroneously taking one of these for the other, though 
the same thing has been done, as Cerda and Euaeus show, by Ovid and 
Propertius. It would pi'obably be more correct, in such instances, to say 
that the writer followed some version of the legend different from that com- 
monly given. Quam fama seeuta est may be translated, ' who is reported.' 

With the same text as that here given Jahn and Forb. each adopt a differ- 
ent punctuation and construction from the above and from each other. 
Thus Jahn : Quid loquar aut Scyllam iVisi, quam fama seeuta est, etc. — aut ut 
mutatos Terei narraverit artus, ' why should I speak of Scylla, the daughter 
of Nisus, whom, etc. (as above) — or how he told of the limbs of Tereus 
changed.' As thus taken loquar has two objects, 1st, Scylla, the daughter 
of Nisus, and 2d, the clause ut mutatos Terei narraverit artus. This con- 
struction of Jahn's, as Con. remarks, is objectionable, as involving a confu- 
sion between the nan-ative of Virgil and that of Silenus. Forb., following 
Hildebrand, construes the passage thus : Quid loquar, ut narraverit aut Scyl- 
lara — vexasse — lacerasse — aut mutatos (esse) Terei artus, and in punctuating 
he places a comma after seeuta est ; ' why should I saj- how he told either 
that Scylla, whom report has followe<i, harassed, etc. — or that the limbs of 
Tereus were changed.' This construction, which Forb. himself admits to be 
not fi-ee from difficulties, is also liable to the further objection made by 
Conington, that it leaves the words quam fama seeuta est, to form a tame and 
unmeaning parenthesis. Heyne and Wagner read: Quid loquar, ut Scyllam 
Nisi, etc., and Wr. supplies from v. 78, with narraverit, also the word muta- 
tam, i. e. quid loquar, vt Scyllam Nisi mutatam narraverit. 

There is still another reading proposed by Doering, as follows : Quid loquar, 
ut Scyllam Nisi, aut quam fama seeuta est, etc., i, e. ' why should I say how ho 
told of Scylla the daughter of Nisus, or (of that Scylla) who is reported,' etc. 



ECLOGA VI. NOTES. 155 

75. Succinctam inguina: cf. v. 68, and on E. 1, 55. — Inguina, Gr. \ 98. 

76. Dulidiias rates^ ' the ship of Ulysses,' rates poetically for rateni. 

77. Nauias, i. e. the sailors of Ulysses. 

78. Terei artus. Tereus king of Thrace was the husband of Procne and 
father of Jtys. In revenge for violence committed by him upon Philomela 
the sister of Procne, the two sisters slew Itys and served him up in a feast 
made by Procne for her husband. On discovering this Tereus pursued the 
sisters intending to slay them, but they escaped his vengeance, Procne be- 
ing changed into a swallow, and Philomela into a nightingale, while Tereus 
himself became a hoopoe. Cf. Ov, Met. 6, 424, sq., and see Tereus, Progne, 
Philomela, Itys, and Pandion in Lex. Conington remarks that another ver- 
sion of this story makes Philomela, instead of Procne, the wife of Tereus, 
and he says that this is probably Virgil's view here, as he would more 
naturally represent the wife than the sister as prepai'ing the feast: see also 
V. 81. — Terei, a dissyllable, by synaeresis; see note on Promethei, v. 42. 

79. Quas dopes, quae dona. The 'present' meant is the 'feast' itself, and 
therefore no connective is to be supplied. 

80. Quo cursii, i. e. quali cursu, ' with what kind of flight,' indicating her 
change into a bird, and that she escaped by flying. Wr. — This and the next 
verse depend, like the 79th, on narraverit. — Ante, i. e. antequam, 'before' her 
flight to the wilds. 

81. Sua tecta. This passage represents Philomela as hovering, with a 
kind of lingering affection, over her home, before she took her flight to the 
wild woods.— The interrogation point after alls marks the end of the question 
beginning with quid loqvar. 

82. Phoebo meditante, 'while Phoebus Avas composing new lays,' Jahn; 
' while PhoebiTS was practising,' //. ; cf. E. 1, 2, and note. — Beatus, ' happy,' 
' blessed,' in hearing the strains of the god. K. 

83. Eurotas. The aft'ection of Phoebus for Hyacinthvis, a native of Laco- 
nia, led him to fiequent the Eurotas. //., S. & Z. See Hyacinihvs and Eurotas 
in Lex. — Lauras, i. e. the laurels on the banks of the river. Wr. This word, 
in Virgil, is usiially of the second declension, but according to the best man- 
uscripts it follows the fourth declension in the ace. plur. here, in E. 8, 13, 82, 
and in A. 3, 360. 

84. Pulsae, soil, sonis, ' struck by the sounds.' — Referunt, scil. carmina, 
'reecho,' Forh. — Valles, i. e. monies quibus vallis cingitur, Forb. 

85. Cogere — referri. Jussit lias here a two-fold construction, fii-st with the 
inf. active, cogere, and then with the ace. and inf. passive, numerum referri; 
cf. G. 1, 130; A. 3, 61; 5, 773. Numerum referri, ' that their number should 
be counted' oi- 'noted.' Cf. E. 3, 34. 

86. Jussit, scil. pastores, ' ordered the shepherds,' R., Gr. § 273, (2), (d). 
The appearance of the evening star imposed on the shepherds the necessity 
of collecting and counting their flocks. — Processit, ' appeared,' ' arose ' ; cf. 
E. 9, 47. — Vesper, i. q. Hesperus. — Invito Olympo, Gr. § 257, E. 7, {a). Co- 
nington however prefers to construe Olympo with processit, which would give 



156 



ECLOGA Yll. Js^OTES. 



the meaning ' appeared in the imwilling heavens,' or ' came forth from nn- 
Avilling Olympus,' the mountain over which 'the evening star is said to rise. 
The heavens are poetically represented as regretting the appearing of the 
evening star, since it put an end to the sweet song of Silenus, H. 



ECLOGA VIL— MELIBOEUS. 

ARGUMEXT. 

The shepherd Meliboeus relates, that while searching for a stray goat, he 
had chanced to meet with Corydon and Thyrsis, Avho were about to engage 
in a musical contest, Avhile Daphnis Avas to sit as arbiter, and that he had 
yielded to the request of Daphnis that he should sit with him and hear their 
song, (vs. 1 — 20). Corydon then sustains the first and Thyrsis the second 
part in the carmen amotbaeum^ which is here so arranged that each performer 
in turn sings a tetrastich, (in the third Eclogue it is a distichj, six of which 
are sung by each, Corydon commencing in every case with a different sub- 
ject, and Thyrsis adding something similar or of an opposite character. The 
place Avhere they sat was under the shade of an oak gently agitated by the 
west wind, amid the hum of bees, near the river Mincius, and at a part of the 
river where the herds were brought to drink. //. 

This Eclogue is supposed to haA^e been written in the spring of B. C. 38, 
the year that Virgil began to Avrite the Georgics, and AA'hen he Avas thirty-two 
years old. Sp. 

The Idyls of Theocritus Avhich Virgil seems chiefly to haA^e had in vieAV are 
the 6th and 8th. Gm, See also the introduction to notes on the 3d Eclogue. 

NOTES ON THE SEVENTH ECLOGUE. 

1. Arguta, 'rustling,' 'murmuring,' 'whispering,' see m-gutus, Pa. 1, b. 
under arguo in Lex. — Daphnis. This Daphnis appears to be a shepherd, and 
is not to be confounded Avith the mythic Daphnis in the fifth Eclogue. H. 

2. In U7ium, see umis, b, in Lex. 

3. Oces — ccqjellas, Gr. § 204. — Disientas lade, scil. ubera, cf E. 4, 21, Forb. ; 
Gr. § 234, n. 

4. Corydon et Thyrsis — Arcades ambo: cf. TXabKmv Kai Vioovhuiv — ApnaSig 
a/jL<p6r£poi, Brunck's Anth. Grace. II, p. 295. — Ambo is used because the two 
shepherds had met at the same time and place, and are viewed together. 
See the distinction in the use of ambo and uterque, under ambo in Lex. — 
Florenfes aetatihus, ' in the prime of life,' ' in the flower of their age.' Aeta^ 
iibus, Gr. § 95, 'Rem.— Arcades. The Arcadians AVere celebrated for their 



ECLOGA VII. ^^OTES. 157 

cultivation of music, but it is uncertain whether Corydon and Thyrsis are 
called Arcadians simply on account of their skill in music, or as deriving 
their descent from Arcadian slaves brought into Italy after the destruction 
of Corinth. 

5. Cantare pares— respondere parati, instead of cantando pares and ad re- 
spondendum parati; cf. E. 5, 2, and note. The phrase respondere parati 
shows that these shepherds resembled the class of modern Italian poets called 
Improvisaioi^i. 

6. iTwc, i. e. towards the place where Daphnis was sitting. — Mild after 
deei-raverai instead of mews agreeing with cajjer, Gr. § 211, K. 5, (1), and 
E. 3, (b). Cf. caper tibi salvus, v. 9. — Defendo a friyore myrtos. To many 
commentators this protection of the myrtles from cold has appeared to be 
inconsistent with the grateful character attributed to the shade beneath 
Avliich they were seated ; but in early spring, at which time the scene of the 
Eclogue is laid, tender plants might need protection by night even when tlie 
noon-day suns were oppressively warm. Defendo^ Gr. § 259, (1), (c). 

7. Vir grecjis — ipse cajjcr, Gr. § 204; 324, (2), 1, (b). Vir, see in Lex. II. A. 
Ipse caper, 'the he-goat himself.' The meaning seems to be that the whole 
flock, not even excepting the he-goat himself, had strayed: cf. v. 9. H. — ■ 
Deerraverat has its first two syllables contracted into one by synaeresis, 
Gr. § 306, (1). Cf. deerunt, G. 2, 200. Other examples of the present with 
dum followed by the pluperfect are to be found in A. 6, 171 — 174, and in Liv. 
23, 11. Cf. the imperfect caneham with dum J'ulminat, G. 4, 559 — 561 : see 
Gr. ^ 258, I. 1, & 259, (1), (c). — Atque (soil, caprum quaerens, Forb.) eyo 
Daphnhn aspido. Atque often serves to introduce a statement not only addi- 
tional but unexpected; ' and whom should I see but Daphnis V 

8. Contra^ ' in turn.' — Ocius is often used like the positive; see ociter, B. 2, 
under ocior in Lex. 

9. Hue ades=.huc veni, see assiun, 4, in Lex. and cf. on E. 2, 45. — Cajjer 
tibi snlviis et Iwedi, see on v. 6 and Gr. § 323, (2), (c). 

10. Si quid cessare pates, ' if you can stop awhile,' ' can indulge in a little 
leisure.' 

11. Ipsi, see on E. 4, 21. — Potum, Gr. § 276, II. — Juvenci, scil. tui. Meli- 
boeus, it appears, had not only flocks of sheep and goats, but a herd of cattle 
also, and Daphnis after assuring him of the safety of the goats, tells him 
that he need not care for the cattle, as they will come thitlier of their own 
accord to drink. 

12. Pi-aetexit, see praetexo in Lex. Cf. litora curvae praetexunt inippes, 
A. 6, 5, and G. 3, 15. 

13. Eque, compounded of e and que. — Fxamina, scil. opum. — Sacra quercu. 
The oak was sacred to Jupiter. 

14. Quid facerem, see on E. 1, 4:1.—A''eque ego Alcippen, neque PhylUda 
habebam. Servius understands Meliboeus to speak of servants or mistresses 
of Daphnis and Thyrsis. Ego therefore is emphatic; 'I had no Alcippe or 
Phyllis,' (as they had). 

14 



158 ECLOGA VII. ^^OTES. 

15. Depuhos a lacte, i. e. a matrum ubere, ' weaned,' Forb. See on E. 3, 82. 
The 14th and 15th verses contain a cogent reason why he should not stop, 
but should hasten his return home; the 16th indicates the motive that he had 
to stay. 

16. Et, 'and' (on the other hand) certamen erat magnum, Corydon cum 
Thyrside, ' it was a great contest, Corj^don with Thyrsis.' This is reckoned a 
peculiar species of apposition, Coi^ydon cum Tliyrside being in apposition to 
certctmen. Cf. tertia jicdma Biores, A. 5, 339. E., H. It seems to be equiva- 
lent to certamen erat magnum, certaturus enim Corydon erat cum Thyrside. 

17. Fosihabuilndo, Gr. § 224. — Tamen, i.e. notwithstanding the reasons 
urging my immediate return home; see vs. 14, 15. — Seria, 'serious affairs,' 
' business.' 

19. Alternos (scil. versus) Miisae meminisse volebant, scil. eos, referring to 
ambo ; ' the Muses willed them to remember alternate verses,' i. e. the Muses 
directed them to sing in altei-nate strains. As the poets claimed to be in- 
spired, i. e. that their songs were taught them by the Muses, so they could 
be said, when singing, to remember what they were thus taught : cf. E. 3, 59. 
//., Wr., Forb. The consti'uction of the sentence would lead us to adopt the 
interpretation here given, rather than to supply, with Wideberg, (approved 
by Spohn and Jahn), the word me ; ' the Muses willed that I should remember,' 
i. e. enabled me to remember these alternate verses. 

20. Hos—illos, ' these '— ' those,' Gr. § 207, R. 23, {a). Corydon sings first, 
and Thyrsis answers. 

21. Corydon commences the contest by an invocation of the Libethrian 
nymphs. K. — Nympliae — Libetlirides. The njanphs here referred to may be 
the ]\Iu.'=es, or, as is more probable, the nymphs inhabiting the fountain Libe- 
thra; cf. E. 10, 1, and Tlieocr. 7, 91, where the nymphs teach a shepherd 
song. — Noster amor, 'my love,' i. e. the object of my love, K.; cf. E. 1, 58. 
In this use of the abstract for the concrete the plural is much more common 
than the singular, even when it relates to only one person, while here the 
singular is used in reference to nymphae, Gr. § 204, E. 3; and see amoi\ 1, b. 
meton. in Lex. 

22. Codro, the name of a shepherd. — Proxima Phoebi versus, ' next,' i. e. in 
excellence: 2)roxhna in the neuter absolute, like triste lupus stabidls, E. 3, 80, 
instead of rersns proxlinos Phoebi versibus, H., Wr., see Gr. § 205, E. 7, (2). 
We might however, with Forblger, supply carmlna, from the preceding carmen, 
tlic plural, as Burman has shoAvn, often referring to a preceding singular; and 
this explanation seems preferable. 

23. Facit has its final syllable lengthened by the caesura. — Si non possumus 
omnes, scil. proxima Phoebi versibus facere. Cf. E. 8, 63. 

24. Sacra pinu. The pine was sacred to Cybele and to Pan. — Pendebit 
fstula pinu. Those who laid aside any art, used to hang up the instruments 
of the art in consecration to the gods. Wr. Cf. Hor. Ep. 1, 1, 4; Od. 3, 26. 

25. Thyrsis, instead of invoking in his turn some other deity, as would 
seem to have been the usual custom, (see E. 3, 62), calls on the shepherds to 
crown him as the superior of Codrus. K.—Hedera. Poets were crowned 



ECLOG.i VII. NOTES. 159 

with ivy as well as with laurel, Serv. Cf. note on E. 3, 39. — Nascentem 
poetam, ' the rising poet,' i. e. he who has just begun to make verses, K. 
Cf. E. 4, 8. Poetam. Thyrsis, according to Servius and others, is to be un- 
derstood as applying to himself the words poeia nascens and vati futuro ; 
though he may- mean simply that a poet was about to appear, or had but 
recently been born, whose celebi'ity would quite eclipse the fame of Codrus. 

26. Arcades is used sometimes adjectively both in Greek and in Latin. — 
Codro. See respecting its construction mihi, v. 6, and note. To adapt the 
phrase invidia rumpantur ut ilia Codro to the English idiom ilia can be neg- 
lected in the translation ; ' that Codi-us may burst with envy.' Cf. E. 3, 15. 

27. Ultra placitum, ' excessively,' ' immoderately,' either as being ' beyond 
his judgment,' or as being 'more than is agreeable,' i. e. to the gods. The 
first is the usual explanation. There was a kind of hurtful charm or enchant- 
ment that consisted in praising excessively the object of one's envy. This is 
called in v. 28 mala lingua, 'the evil tongue.' — Si laudarlt, cingite. The baccar, 
according to Servius, is a protection against enchantment. See note on E. 4, 19. 
Observe that the fut. is expressed by the imp., Gr. § 145, R. 3, and hence is 
properly connected with the fut. perf. Gr. § 145, VI; cf. v. 36. 

28. Vati, i. q. poetae, see v. 25. 

29. The rival bards now try. their skill in the composition of epigrams, or 
inscriptions for the statues of gods, K. The four lines that follow, in which 
there is the introduction of a new speaker, consist of an epigram or votive in- 
scription made by the shepherd Micon, who dedicates to Diana a part of the 
spoils taken by him in the chase, H. — Caput hoc apri tibi, scil. dicat, seel, 
dico, II, in Lex. — Parvus, ' young.' 

30. Vivacis. This animal sometimes lives to the age of 35 or 40 years. V. 

31. Proprium, see propius, II. in Lex. — Hoc, i. e. ' this success,' viz. in the 
chase, i. e. such success as has now attended me; hoc referring to what is 
only implied in the two preceding verses. If similar success is granted to him 
constantly he promises to dedicate a marble statue to Diana, — Levi, ' polished.' 
— Tula, ' entire,' ' at full length,' not a mere bust or herraa, Voss. 

32. Stabis de mannoi'e, poetically for tibi statiin marmorea strtbit or ponetur. 
Cf. aeneus ut stes, Hor. Sat. 2, 3, 183. — Suras evincta, Gr. § 234, II. — Puniceo. 
Even marble statues sometimes had those parts colored that represented the 
dress, as here the buskins. Cf. x\. 1, 337. 

33. These four lines of Thyrsis are also an inscription, for an image of Pria- 
pus, H. — Sinum, see sinum or sinus in Lex. — Laciis — Uba. Victims were not 
offered to the inferior deities, but milk, cakes and fruits. The libum was a kind 
of cake, made of flour, honey and oil, R. — Ilaec, i. e. which I now offer, or am 
accustom.ed to offer, Wr. — 34. Ex&pectare, scil. a nobis. 

35. Pro tempore, ' according to my circumstances,' ' proportioned to my 
present means,' ' as times will permit.' 

36. Aureus esto, cf. on v. 32, and on cingite, v. 27. Tliyrsis is resolved to 
excel his rival, Corydon, and therefore he first apologizes for having had to 
make his god of the same material which Micon has promised to Diana, and 
then makes an extravagant boast, that he will give Priapus a statue of gold. 



160 ECLOGA VII. XOTES. 

if he will give increase to the flock. The statues of Priapus were usually- 
made of wood. 

37. Nerine Galatea. Galatea the daughter of Nereus and Doris was a sea- 
nymph beloved by Polyphemus. Corydon assuming the part of her lover 
now addresses her and invites her to meet him at evening. — Hyblae, cf. note 
on E. 1, 55. 

38. Eedera alba. Virgil does not seem to have mentioned the white ivy 
in any other place, M. Cf. note on E. 3, 39. 

39. Pasii, ' well-fed.' — He bids her come to him in the evening, cf. E. 3, 

er, Con. 

41. Thyrsis also addresses Galatea as his mistress, alludes to his expecta- 
tion of meeting her at the approaching evening and protests the impatience 
of his desire. — ImtJio is used as if in reply to some remark of his mistress 
implying doubt of the warmth of his affection. — Sardoniis is restored by 
Wagner for Sardois, which appears in some of the manuscripts. — Sardoniis 
herbis. The batrachion of the Greeks, or ranvnculus of the Romans is meant, 
' the ci'ow-foot.' This is said to grow abundantly in Sardinia. Its juice is 
very acrid and blisters the skin. Wlien drank it produces madness, and 
causes spasms contracting the muscles of the face so as to resemble laughter; 
hence risus Sardonius, ' Sardonic huxgh ' or ' grin,' H. 

42. Eusco. The ruscus or ruscum, ' butclier's-bi'oom,' is a low slu'ub with 
prickly leaves. — Projecta, 'thrown on the shore' by the waves: cf. projectus 
ab undis navita, Lucr. 5,223. 

43. Haec lux, i. e. hie dies. 

44. Ite domum pasti juvenci. He chides the bullocks for returning home 
so slowly, now that they are fed. — Si quis pudor ; as much as to say. You 
ought to be ashamed of yourselves to keep me so long from my love. K. — 
Ite domum, Gr. § 225, IV. R. 3. 

45. Corydon now gives a picture of a shady retreat from the mid-day 
heat of summer, K. — Somno molUor herha. This comparison is from Theo- 
critus, 5, 51, 'vi:via ixalanuiTepa. Cf. G. 2, 470; E. 3, 55. 

46. Et quae vos vara, etc. ; the nominative for the vocative, i. e. et in ar- 
bute, quae f antes herbamque tegis, Wr. — Kara umbra, 'thin sliade,' because 
the limbs of the strawberry-tree do not grow close to each other, and its 
leaves are small, Forb.; or perhaps, according to Ladevvig, because this ever- 
gi-een changes its foliage at the season of the year here denoted. 

47. Solstitium jJecori dtfendite, Gr. § 224, R. 2; 251, R. 2. Cf Hor. Od. 1, 
17, 3, defendit aestatem cajnlUs : G. 3, 155. Solstitium, see in Lex. B. — Venit, 
' is coming,' ' is just at hand.' 

48. Lneto in j^nlmile: so laetum vilis genus, G. 2, 262. Latto, 'joyful,' 
a term poetically applied to plants when full of sap and verdure, K., 
cf. G. 1, 1 and note; 'luxuriant.' 

49. Thyrsis changes the scene and draws a picture of the comforts of a 
shepherd's home in the winter, K.— Taedae inngues, i.e. 'torches full of 
pitch.' 



ECLOGA VII. NOTES. 



161 



50. Pastes fuUgine nigri. The ancients had no chimneys in their houses, 
and the smoke escaped through a hole in the roof or out of the doors, K. 

52. Numerum, sell, ovium^ Serv. The wolf when going to attack the sheep 
cares not how many there are, he fears them not, K., Con. Heyne says, 
cares not that their number has been counted by the shepherd. 

53. Corydon, again changing the subject, pictures the effect which the 
departure of a beloved one would produce on a rural landscape, or rather on 
the mind itself, which gives its own coloring to external objects: whereas it 
is now the fruit season and all nature is smiling, his going away would bring 
a blight upon eveiything. — Stant^ see in Lex. I. B. 7 ; it seems to be opposed 
to strata in the next verse. The sense is, 'the junipers and the rough chest- 
nuts stand bristling,' (the former with their bei'ries, the latter with their 
prickly husks), while 'the fruits lie scattered everywhere, each under its own 
ti-ee.' — Junipeii — castaneae, Gr. § 305, (2). 

54. Sua quaeque. This is the reading of all the manuscripts and of Nonius. 
Heinsius, Gronovius and Bentlev proposed siia quaque, which is adopted by 
H., Con., Wr., and Forb., while V'oss, Jahn, Ladewig and some others retain 
the former reading, K. — With the reading given in our text sua is an abl., 
to be pronounced in scanning as one syllable, Gr. § 306, 1 & (3). Cf. 
E. 1, 38. 

55. Rident, 'smile,' 'are joyous,' see rideo in Lex., B. b, and cf. E. 4, 20. 
Gr. § 324, (2,) 1, (a).— Alexis and Phyllis (v. 59) are here names of imaginary 
personages. 

56. Abeat — vldeas, Gr. § 260, 11. (1). — Et, emphatic, 'even the streams,' 
' the very streams.' 

57. Thyrsis pursues the same subject, but describes by waj' of contrast, 
the effect which would be produced by the arrival of the beloved one. — 
VUio aeris^ i. e. by the excessive heat. Cf on G. 3, 478. 

58. This line is a poetical expression of the simple aret vinea. — Invidit 
collibus, ' has refused,' ' denied,' see invideo, XL and C. in Lex., i. e. the vines 
are without foliage, in consequence of the drought. 

60. Juppiter, i. q. aer, ' the air ' ; see in Lex. and cf. G. 2, 325 ; 1, 324. — 
Plurlmus, 'very abundant,' Gr. § 122, R. 4. Cf. nux plurima, G. 1, 187; 
plurima unda, G. 4, 419. 

61. Corydon now enumerates some of the trees sacred to the gods, and 
declares the hazel, bcause the favorite of Phyllis, to be equal to any of them, 
K. — Populus Akldae. According to Servius the poplar was sacred to Her- 
cules because he made himself a garland from its leaves, when he was on his 
return from the infernal regions. 

62. Alyrtus Veneri. The myrtle, being a sea-side plant, was supposed to 
have sheltered Venus on her first rising from the sea, Serv., Con. Servius 
also observes that the sweetness of the myrtle may have been a reason for its 
being sacred to Venus. Cf E. 2, 54, 55. — Laurea Phoebo, see on E. 3, 63. 

63. Phyllis. Phyllis and Lycidas (v. 67), are to be regarded like Alexis 
and Phyllis (vs. 55 and 59), see note on v. 55; and the Phyllis of v. 59 is not 
the same person as the Phyllis of v. 63. 

14* 



162 ECLOGA YIII. NOTES. 

65. ThjTsis continues the train of thought. — Pinus. The tree here meant 
is a sort of pine cultivated in gardens, M. 

66. In JluviiSj i. e. ad fluvios, Sp., or in rijns Jluviorum. Cf. G. 2, 110. 

67. Eevisas — cedat, see note on v. 56. 

68. Fraxinus cedat tibi, Qtcz^praeferam te fraxino et 2>ino, H. 

69. Meliboeus concludes by mentioning that Corydon was the victor, K. — 
Ilaec memini, Gr. § 216, E. 1, (a). 

70. Ex illo Corydon^ etc. Commentators differ as to the interpretation of 
this verse. Heyne doubts its genuineness. The thought intended to be con- 
veyed is ; from that time 1 have regarded Corydon as excelling among the 
poets. The construction, according to Voss, is Corydon ex illo tempore nobis 
est Corydon, ' from that time Corydon is Corydon to us,' i. e, truly Corydon, = 
' from that time I have looked upon Corydon as Corydon indeed,' as an ex- 
cellent poet: or rather, as explained by Forb., 'from that time I have re- 
garded Corydon as Corydon the poet,' as the excellent poet whom the name 
Corydon ever brings to my mind. Forbiger cites Quinct. Inst. 9, 3, 68, hunc 
hominem hominem judicabimus, where the second honmiem, like the second 
Corydun in this verse, is emphatic. Wagner, whose explanation of est nobis 
does not seem to me sufficiently supported by authority, takes Corydon Cory- 
dun as an emphatic repetition, as in E. 2, 69, and est nobis as equivalent to 
nosier est, nobis pi^obatur, ' is the man for me.' — Est nobis, ' I regard,' ' look upon,' 
see on E. 3, 104. 



ECLOGA VIII.— PHARMACEUTRIA. 

AUOUMENT. 

The poet repeats the songs of two shepherds, Dnmon and Alphesiboeus. 
The song of Damon (vs. 17 — 61) contains the complaints and grief of a shep- 
herd on account of his unsuccessful love for Nisa, who had deserted him for 
his rival Mopsus. Alphesiboeus relates, (vs. 64 — 109) the magical charms to 
which a shepherdess had recourse to bring back her lover, Daphnis, by whom 
she supposed herself to be de.-erted. Neither shepherd speaks in his own 
person, but each expresses the feelings of an ideal character. 

The p]clogue is addressed to Asinius Pollio (vs. 6 — 13), who had conquered 
the Parthinians, B. C. 40, and it was probably written in the fall of the 
following year, on the return of Pollio, at which time he celebrated his 
triumph. 

The first five lines contain an introduction to the poem. The title, Phar- 
maceutria, which applies only to the second part of the Eclogue, is taken 
from Theocritus. The song of Damon is imitated from various passages in 



ECLOGA VIII. NOTES. 



163 



the first, third and eleventh Idyls of Theocritus; that of Alphesiboeus from 
his second Idyl. In the Medicean manuscript the title of the poem is Dammis 
et Alphesiboei certatio ; and the Eclogue seems to contain a species of amoe- 
bean contest: see responderit, v. 62. 

NOTES ON THE EIGHTH ECLOGUE. 

1. Musam, i. e. carmina, Forb. ; see note on E. 1, 2. 

2. The poet here ascribes to the songs of the shepherds such sweetness 
and power as to affect not only cattle and wild animals but even inanimate 
nature; see note on E. 6, 71. Such effects are often attributed by the an- 
cient poets to the singing of Apollo, Orpheus and others celebrated in my- 
thology for musical skill. Cf. E. 3, 46; 6, 27— SO.— Jmmemor herbarum; cf. 
cervus — yraminis iinmtmoi\ Hor. Od. 1, 15, 30. — Juveiica, one animal is put 
for the herd, Gr. § 324, 3. 

3. Stupefactae, scil. sunt^ ' astonished,' ' amazed.' — Lymes. The Lynx was 
not a Sicilian animal; but the object of the poet being to show the effect of 
the music upon wild beasts it was of comparatively little importance what 
particular one was selected. 

4. Matata flumina, ' the streams changing ' their nature, as it is their na- 
ture to flow, whereas now they ceased to flow, Wr., Fcn-b. — Suos cursus. 
Cursus, according to Serv., R., Forb. and M., depends on reguierunt, see re- 
quiesco, II. in Lex. and cf. Jappiter Akmenae geminos requieverat Arctos^ 
Prop. 3, 15, 25 : rajndos — requiescunt Jlumina cursus, Ciris, v. 232. But Voss, 
H., Wr., and Lade, make cursus a Greek ace. after muiaia, Gr. § 234, 11. 

5. Damonis Masam — et Alphesiboei, Gr. § 324, 16. 

6. Virgil now dedicates this Eclogue to Asinius PoUio, and expresses the 
wish that the time may come when he can celebrate in loftier verse both the 
military exploits (v. 8) and the poetic talent of his patron (vs. 9, 10). — 
Tu mihi sen magni suj^eras jam saxa Tiinavi, ' whether thou art now passing 
for me the rocks of broad Tiraavus.' Pollio is represented as now on his re- 
turn from his expedition against the Parthiuians. The Timavus empties into 
the Adriatic, not far from Aquileia. Tu, i. e. Asinius Pollio. Mihi is here 
an ethic dative, Gr. § 228, N., and serves to express the poet's joy at the re- 
turn of Pollio as a conqueror. It is to be construed with superas, Wi*., Forb., 
Con. But Heyne, Wch. and Jalm would connect it with actipe, supposing a 
parenthesis of all i.\fter mihi to accipe : others would make this an instance 
of ciposiopesis, Gr. § 324, 33. Saxa denotes the character of the region through 
which the river floAvs. Superas is to be imderstood of passing by sea, sailing 
past, Wch., Forb., Con. Cf. fonttm superare Timavi, A. 1, 244, and see sitpero, 
II. 2, in Lex. 

7. Sive Oram, etc. This is equivalent to saying, or if you have not yet 
come so far; as it would be necessary for one returning from the country 
of the Parthinians to sail by the coast of Illyria before reaching the coast of 
Istria, where was the Timavus, Wch. — Legis, see in Lex. I. B. 2, b. — En erit 



164 ECLOGA YIII. NOTES. 

umquam, etc., ' will that day ever indeed come ' ; en denoting strong desire. 
See on E. 1, 68. 

8. Blcere, i. q. canere. See on E. 3, 55 and cf E. 4, 54. 

9. What is the subject of erit? — It would appear from these verses that 
Pollio's tragedies had not at that time been given to the public, 11. 

10. Sola Sophodeo, etc., ' thy songs, alone worthy of the elevated style of 
Sophocle?,' the greatest of Greek tragic writers. — Carmina refers to the trage- 
dies written by PoUio; see on E. 3, 86. — Cothurno, see in Lex. 2, b. 

11. A te jmncipiwn (scil. carminis erit) tibi desinet (scil. ca7'mcn). Tibi 
for in te, Gr. § 225, IV. K. 2. The meaning is ; thy praises shall be the 
constant theme of my song. The expression, as Voss remarks, is of a pi-o- 
verbial nature, and therefore the words are not to be understood literally; 
cf. E. 3, 60. 

12. Carmina for carmen, see on E. 3, 7, viins, and E. 4, 49. — Atgue lianc, 
etc., i. e. accept the praises of my verse along with thy military honors. 
Observe how gracefully the poet has expressed this. 

13. Victrices, Gr. § 102, 6, (a), & 129, 8.—Hederam, see on E. 7, 25.— 
Laurus, see on E. 6, 83. 

14. We have here a description of the time of the day and of the atti- 
tude of the shepherd when he begins his song, K. Damon and Alphesiboeus 
had driven their flocks out to pasture before sunrise, as Virgil himself pre- 
scribes, G. 3, 322, sq. , for the summer months, Con. 

15. This verse is repeated, G. 3, 326, with the change of quum into et. — 
Herba, scil. est. 

16. Te.reti olivae, ' smooth staff of olive.' 

17. Damon now, in the person of the despairing shepherd, commences 
his extemporary song. It is divided into parts or stanzas of unequal length, 
each terminated by an intercalary verse or burden, after which we are led to 
suppose that the singer plays a voluntary on his pipe, while he is thinking on 
the stanza that is to succeed; cf. on E. 1, 2; 5, 14, 86. In introducing the 
burden, Virgil imitates Theocritus in his two first Idyls, K. — Prae veniens, 
a tmesis, Gr. § 323, 4, (5). See on E. 6, 6. — Diem age, i. e. adduc, 'lead on'; 
of. surgebat Lucifer — ducebatque diem, A. 2, 802, Serv. 

IS. Cunjugis — Nisae, ' of Nisa, my wife,' i. e. whom I had expected to be 
my wife, ' my betrothed,' cf. v. 66. Gener and maritus are also used in this 
anticipative sense. — Indigno amore, ' unworthy love,' i. e. unworthy of the 
sincere affection of the shepherd. 

19. Tesfibus ilm, i. e. the gods whom Nisa had invoked as witnesses to the 
truth of her love. 

20. Extrema (viiae)hora moriens. He alludes to a voluntary death; cf. 
V. 59. — Alloquor=^invoco, obtestor, Forb. 

21. Jndj>e, etc. An intercalary verse in imitation of Theocritus; see note 
on V. 17. 

22. This stanza is suggested bj-^ the word ]\Inenalios in the refrain. — 
Argutum, see on E. 7, 1. — Loquentes, see loquor, II. B. in Lex. I am inclined, 
withKeigbtley, to adopt this interpretation, 'murmuring,' 'rustling,' referring 



ECLOGA VIII. NOTES. 165 

to the whispering of the wind in the trees, thus making pinos loquentes nearly 
a repetition of ar(jutum nemus, and contrasting the natural melody of the 
woods with that of Pan and the shepherds. But Servius, who is followed by 
H., Voss, Wr. and Forb. Avould have it mean ' resounding ' or ' vocal ' with 
the melody of the shepherds. 

24. Panaque^ qui primus^ etc., alluding to his invention of the shepherd's 
pipe. See E. 2, 32. 

26. Datur, soil, nuptum, Gr. § 276, II. R. 1. — Quid non speremtis amantes, 
soil. Jieri posse, ' what may not we lovers expect can be done ' ? i. e. we may 
expect anything to be done ; — the most extraordinary unions to take place. 

27. Jungentur, i. e. to the same car, Voss, Wr., Forb., K. ; though Servius 
and some others understand it of marriage. — Gryphes. These fabulous crea- 
tures, represented as having the body of a lion with the wings and head of an 
eagle, were said to be at constant enmity with horses, Wr. — Aevoque sequenti 
=in posterum, H. 

28. Ad pocula, i. e. ad potum, H. ; see poculum, II. A. in Lex., and cf. po- 
cula sunt forties liquidi, G. 5, 529. — Damae. Virgil uses this noun as mascu- 
line, both here and in G. 3, 539. 

29. Novas incide faces. At weddings torches were carried before the 
bride as she was conducted, at evening, to the bridegroom's house; see yaa; 
in Lex. Heyne takes novas to be merely epitheton ornans : Wr., Foi-b., and 
Lade, make novas incide faces equivalent to incipe faces incidere, because 
novus is used to denote anything recently made, done or come into being, or 
recently commenced; but our word 'new,' (which is not less extensive in its 
signification) seems to me to give the true meaning of novas, and, as Keightley 
and Con. remark, the occasion would seem to require new torches. — Tibi du- 
ciiur, ' is being brought home for you.' Tibi, Gr. § 222, 1 & 2. 

30. Sparge nuces. For the custom here referred to see in Lexicon under 
nux. — Marite, see on v. 18. — Tibi, see on y. 2d. — Deserit, ' is forsaking,' i.e. 
is rising above, as evening comes on, the time for the marriage ceremonies. — 
Oetam. Heyne observes that in describing the evening star as rising over 
this mountain, Virgil follows some Greek poet who lived in Thessaly, or who 
related occurrences which took place in that country. We need not there- 
fore infer with Voss that the scene of this Eclogue is laid in Thessaly. 

32. digno, etc. This is said with mingled derision and indignation, as 
Damon intimates that Mopsus, for whose sake Nisa has deserted him, is not 
less rustic and is much uglier th.m himself, E. 

33. Dumque capellae, etc., scil. tibi sunt odio. 

35. Nee — quemquam, i. e. you do not fear lest the gods, the avengers of 
perfidy, should punish you for yours, Forb. Curare — credis — quemquam, 
Gr. § 272. — Mortalia, i. e. res huinanas ; see mortalis, II. A. in Lex. 

37. From reflecting on her perfidy, he is led no\v to go back to the origin 
of his passion, which had commenced even in his boyiiood, K. — Scpibus in 
nostris, i. e. in horio nostro sepibus eincto, Voss ; the hedge being put for the 
earden which it enclosed. — Farvam, ' when a little o-ivL' 



166 ECLOGA VIII. NOTES. 

38. Vestei', I e. of you and my mother; as it woiild appear by the corres- 
ponding passage in Theocritus, 11, 2^ — 29, that matre does not refer to the 
mother of Nisa. — Legejiiem, i. e. carpentem^ cf. E. 2, 51; 3, 70. 

39. Alter ab undecimo=duod€ci)iius ; cf. on E. 5, 49. — AccejMrat. The year 
is here said to receive him who enters on it. 

41. Ut vidi, vt peril, etc. The first ut is an adverb of time, ' when,' ' as 
soon as,' the second and third, adverbs of quality, ' how,' Serv., Vossi, Wr., 
Forb. — Peril, see pereo, B. 2, in Lex. The last i in peril is not elided, on 
account of the pause and of the caesm-a, Gr. § 309, R. 3; 310, 4. — Error ^ 
see in Lex. H. 2 ; * madness.' 

43. Quid sit Amor, i. e. of what nature Love is, — how cruel. Cf. on E. 3, 80. 
— Ilium, emphatic, ' that one,' ' him ' ; see in Lex. IL A. & Gr. § 207, R. 20. 

44. The e in Rhodope is not elided,' see on v. 41. — Extremi. The Gara- 
mantes are so called because they inhabited what the ancients regarded as the 
most remote part of Africa, H., K. 

45. Edunt. The present tense is often tlius used in animated narration 
for the perfect, Gr. § 145, I. 3. 

47. Matrem, i. e. Medeam; see Meden in Lex. 

48. Crudells tu quoque, mater, etc. Though he tlu-ows the principal part 
of the blame on Love, who urged the deed, he will not acquit Medea, who 
executed it: if /(e was wicked, she was cruel. He then puts the question, 
which was greater in its respective degi-ee, his wickedness or her cruelty; 
and does not venture to solve the problem, contenting himself with again as- 
serting that he was wicked and she cruel, K. 

49. Magis is to be supplied before improhus, Wr. See also Gr. § 324, 19. 

52. Since so unnatural a thing as the rejection of himself and the accept- 
ance of Mopsus by Nisa has occurred, he intimates that any other event con- 
ti-ary to natm-e may be expected to take place, K. Cf. E. 1, 60, and v. 27, 
supra. — Ultro, i. e. not compelled by an}-^ to flee. See in Lex. ulter, IIL B. c. 
— Aurea mala, see on E. 3, 71. 

54. Sudent, cf. on E. 4, 30. — Electra. According to popular belief amber 
was a gum which exuded from the poplars, alders or other trees on the banks 
of the Po, and not from the lowly shrubs, such as the tamarisk, Wr. 

55. Certent, scil. cantu: For the construction see on E. 5, 8. — Tltyrus is 
here, as very frequently elsewhere, the name of a shepherd. The context 
shows the reference to be to a person having but little skill in music. 

56. Arlon, see in Lex. Anon, 1. 

58. Medium mare, 'the mid' or 'deep sea,' Con. The meaning is; the 
deep sea may cover all things for what I care. — Vicite, i. q. vahte, with which 
it is often connected; see vivo, B. 1, in Lex. 

60. Defcrar=z.praecipitabo me. — Hoc munus. Heyne understands this of 
Damon's song; but it is better, with Voss, Wch., Wr., Forb. and others, to 
refer it to Damon's death. The meaning is; I give you as my last present 
the joy which you will derive from my death. 

61. Desine, see on E. 5, 19. 



ECLOGA VIII. JfOTES. 167 

62. Ha&c Damon. What verb is to be supplied here ? — The poet having 
himself given the song of Damon, calls on the Muses to proceed with that 
of Alphesiboeus, as requiring more knowledge, K. 

63. Non omnia possumus omnes, sell, fnctre, a proverbial expi^ission. 

64. Fgr the subject of this song see the Argument of this Eclogue. — 
The altar stands ready for use, and the shepherdess, Avho is about to employ- 
magic arts, is introduced as calling to her attendant, Amaryllis, to bring the 
things requisite for the rites. The action takes place probably in the inner- 
court, the lmj)luvium, of a house; see v. 107, iT., Wr., K. — Effer aquam, i. e. 
aquam lustralem. — MoUi. because the vitta was made of wool. 

65. Pincjues, ' unctuous,' and so fit for burning. Con. — Mascula iura. The 
best and most costly kind of frankincense was called masculmn, being in shape 
round, like a drop, H. 

66. Conjugis, i. e. amaioris, H., see on v. 18. — Sanos avertere sensus, i. e. 
to ' turn aside ' from sanity and to change to the insanity of love, Sei'v., to 
' pervert.' 

67. Nihil hie, etc., i. e. the preparations having all been made nothing is 
now wanting but the carmina. — Carmina, see in Lex. 4. 

69. Caelo deducere Lunam. The power here attributed to magic is often 
mentioned by the poets. For the construction see on E. 6, 16. 

70. For the change of the companions of Ulysses into swine, by the magic 
arts of Circe, see Hom. Od. 10, 203, sq.— Uiixi, Gr. § 73, 1, R. 

71. This effect of incantation is spoken of also in Ov. Met. 7,203; Ov. 
Am. 2, 1, 25; Lucil. Sat. 20, 5. — Fricjidus ancjuis, see on E. 3, 93. — Cantando^ 
i. e. incantando, ' by incantation,' ' by enchantment.' 

73. The enchantress now winds three threads, each of a different color, 
about an image of Daphnis, and carries it round the altar, H., Wr., Forb. — 
Ttrna, Gr. \ 120, 4, {a). There was supposed to be a magic force in the 
number three. — Tibi, i.e. Daphnidi, meanhigthe image representing him, Wr. 
Tihi Uda circumdo, Gr. § 224, R. 1, {b). 

75. Numero impare. The superstition, according to Servius, was that odd 
numbei's were immortal because the}' cannot be divided into two equal parts, 
Cbn. — Dens, ' the deity,' generally, though it was the goddess Hecate who 
presided over enchantments, H. 

76. Jahn regards this verse as hiterpolated. By it the song is made longer 
by one line than Damon's; it introduces a pause when the sense does not re- 
quire one, and it leaves but two lines for the next stanza, a smaller number 
than is found elsewhere in this or the former song. But the verse is found 
in all the manuscripts. 

77. Tribus nodis ternos colores, ' three colors with thi-ee knots,' i. e. three 
threads, each of a different color, with a knot on each; Gr. § 324, 2. 

78. Modo, see in Lex. B. 3. It here adds emphasis to the command thus 
repeated, Con. 

80. Limus and cera. These words are commonly explained as referring to 
t'.vo images of Daphnis, one of clay, the other of wax, JI., Wr., Lade., and 
others; but Keightley and Con. suppose that nothing more is meant than 



168 ECLOGA VIII. NOTES. 

pieces of clay and wax. — The rhyme is meant to imitate the jingle usual in 
chai-ms, as Voss remarks, Con. - 

81. Sic nostra amore, scil. durescat et Uquescat, Serv,, i. e. as in cue and 
the same fire the clay hardens and the wax melts, so may the heart of Daph- 
nis harden with respect to other women, soften with respect to me, K. 

82. She now tries" another magic art, burning the laurel with bitumen, 
that Daphnis may in like manner burn with love, H. — Frarjiles, ' crackling,' 
see in Lex. — Laurus, see on E. 6, 83. 

83. In Baphnide, ' on Daphnis,' i. e. placed on the image of Daphnis, 
Burm., Voss^ Jahn, Forb., Lade. ; but it is explained by H., Wr., K. and Cbw., 
as equivalent to in DapJinidem, i. e. propter Daphnidem, 'on account of or 
*iu the case of Daphnis'; cf. Theocr. 2, 23. 

85. She now describes the violence of the love which she wishes the pre- 
ceding charms to infuse into Daphnis, K. — Tails amor Daphnira, scil. teneat. — 
Qualis quum=ut quum, ' as when,' Wi\ 

87. Fropter, ' near,' ' beside,' see in Lex. IL A. and cf. G. 3, 14. — Aquae 
ricum, a very common pleohasm, as in English, a stream of water. Cf. 
E. 5, 47. 

. 88. Ferdita, see on E. 2, 59. — Decedere nocti, see in Lex. decedo, B. 2, 
i. e. did not think to avoid the cold of night by returning home. Cf. G. 3, 
467 and G. 4, 23. 

89. Talis amor teneat, scil. Dap)linlm. See Gr. § 324, 16. — Jfederi, scil. tali 
illius atuori, Wr. 

91. Another charm is that of burying under the thi-eshold of her door such 
articles belonging to Daphnis as she possessed. This was supposed to exer- 
cise a magic power of attraction, K. — Fxumas, 'clothes.' 

92. Flynora cara sid, i. e. sui erya me amoris, ' of his love for me,' TTr., 
Forb. 

93. Dthent Jiaec 2)ig^ora Dapilinhn, scil. raild. She says that these pledges 
owe Daphnis to her, because they ought, according to magic rules, to restore 
him to her. 

95. The means thus far emploj-ed having proved ineffectual, she now re- 
sorts to magic herbs. Lade. — Has herbas atque liaec venena, a hendiadys for 
has herbas veiitnatas, Gr. § 323, 2, (3). Cf. on E. 2, 8.—Fonto lecta, Gr. § 254, 
E. 3. The poisonous plants of Pontus are spoken of because ]\Iedea, who was 
a renowned sorceress, and made use of such herbs, lived in that country. 
Fontus is put for Colchis. 

96. Jpse Iloeris. ^;se is here used, as we often use the word 'himself,' 
to denote dignity or superiority; ' Moeris himself,' i. e. Moeris the great ma- 
gician. We do not find any mention of him elsewhere. 

97. Three feats of magicians are now spoken of, which are also mentioned 
frequently by other Latin poets, K. — Els liipiim Jieri et se condere silvis, i. e. 
his lupum factum silvis se condere, for his belongs to lupum Jieri, as also to 
excire and tradacere, but not to se condere : cf. on E. 6, 20, Wr., Forb. Bis, 
' with these,' i. e. by the power of these, K. 

98. Animas, see in Lex. anima, 4, c. 



ECLOGA IX. NOTES. 169 

99. Scdas messes, i. e. sata in fnturam messtm, the grain sown for a future 
harvest, Wr. ; cf. messis, B. 2, in Lex. Lloeris by his magic arts had re- 
moved the grain from the field where it was sown, to another field, thus de- 
frauding the owner of his expected harvest. This offence was styled in the 
Twelve Tables fruges excuntare. 

101. She now resorts, as a last expedient, to a charm which seems to have 
been thought of the greatest efficacy, that of throwing ashes into a running 
stream, the head being averted, K. — Rivoqut Jiuenti, i. e. in rivum; see on 
E. 2, 30, Wr. 

102. Transque cajmt jace, scil. aversa, 'turning away,' Wr., Forb. — Nee 
respexeris, i. e. while throwing the ashes. Nee is here equivalent to et non, 
Wr., Forb. Respexeris, Gr. § 260, E. 6, (a), {b), <.f (c). 

103. Nihil ilk deos, etc. i. e. the gods invoked during the incantation, and 
the charms thus far employed, //. 

105. Before she has taken up the ashes for her last charm (v. 101), a spon- 
taneous flame springs up from among them ; and while she is pondering on 
this favorable sign the watch-dog begins to bark, announcing the approach 
of some one, who proves to be Daphnis, K. Servius would make Amaryllis 
the speaker here, on account of the words dum ferre moror, but this would 
be awkward, and we may easily suppose that both the enchantress and her 
attendant would join iu removing the ashes. Con. The blazing of the fire 
was a good omen, as its smouldering was a bad one; cf. G. 4, 385 — 386, Con. 

106. /^ojzi'e SMft, ' spontaneously.' — Cinis ipse, 'the ashes of themselves,' 
i. e. by their own power and will, Voss. — Bonuin sit ! ' may it be a good omen' ! 
See bonus, 3, in Lex. 

107. Nescio quid certe est, ' it is certainly something ' (of good omen) ' but I 
know not what.' — Ilylnx, i. e. 'barker,' from hkuKreu), to bark, K. 

108. Credhnus ? ' do I believe ' ? i. e. ' is it a reality ' ? K. — An qui dmant, 
Gr. 4 305, (2). 

109. Parcite, scil. Daphnldl, Forb. The charms are bidden to cease their 
operation, since the return of Daphnis renders their aid unnecessary. Some 
Mss. and good editions have, jam, carmina, parcite. 



ECLOGA IX.— MOERIS. 



ARGUMENT. 

Moeris, the steward of Menalcas, while on his way to Mantua with some 
kids, is joined by the shepherd Lycidas, to whom he relates his own and his 
master's troubles, and from whom he receives a warm expression of sympa- 
thy in view of the loss which would have been sustained in the death of Me- 
nalcas; and by way of showing how great that loss would have been, some 
of the poet's verses are quoted. 
15 



170 ECLOGA IX. XOTES. 

The historical occasion of this Eclogue will be foimd in the sketch of Vir- 
gil's life. Ruaens conjectures that the present Eclogue was in fact a poetical 
petition presented to Varus or Octavianus, for the restitution of the poet's 
propert3% Ceitainly it is skillfully contrived to interest the reader hi his 
favor. 

The framework of the poem is taken from the seventh Idyl of Theocritus. 
H. 4^ Con. 

NOTES ON THE NINTH ECLOGUE. 

1. Quo ie perles, scil. ducmnt, v.'-hich is to be supplied from the following 
ducit. Such omission of the verb is more usual in the second member of the 
sentence, and when the verb to be supplied has already been expressed, Sp. — 
An, see on E. 3, l.—In urbem, i. e. Mantuam, Gr. § 235, (2). 

2. The perturbation of Mocris, caused by his grief and indignation, is 
finely marked by the abrupt and involved manner in which he commences 
his reply. He gives no direct answer to the question of Lycidas, but utters 
at once wliat lay heavy on his mind, K. — Construe as follows; vivi perveni- 
mus, ut itdrtna possessor nostri cifjeUi, (id) quod numquam verlti sumiis, diceret. 
Forb. Vivi peive?ii7nus, ' I have come alive to that point,' 'I have lived to 
see.' Wagner reads quo for quod, contending that pervenimus ut is not Latin; 
but Foi-b. defends the common reading, saying that eo is implied in the form 
of the sentence; and Conington adds that quo, besides its deficiency in ex- 
ternal authority, would introduce a confusion into the order of the sentence 
greater than could well be excused by Moeris' perturbation of mind. — Nostri, 
'of our,' i. e. ^of my,' as servants are wont to say in speaking of their mas- 
ter's property. Cf v. 12, note on E. 1, 8, and ttia, v. 30, Wcli. 

4. JI<(ec men sunt. This was the legal form of asserting one's right to a 
thing, K. Cf. on E. 1, 47. — Coloni, ' inhabitants,' 'possessors of the land.' 

5. Vifti, trisles, ' overcome, sorrowful,' i. e. obliged to yield to force and 
therefore sorrowful. 

6. Qnod nee vert' (t bene, 'may it do him no good.' Quod, Gr. § 206, (13), 
(fl). Nee is here equivalent to an emphatic non. — Miitimus, i. e. to the new 
master, living in tlie city. As the slaves in these cases usually went with 
the land, Moeris was continued in his office of villicus, K. Mittimus is used 
seemingly, because Moeris, though canying the kids himself, speaks for his 
master, who is the sender of the present, Con. 

7. Lycidas replies; I heard that your master's poetry had saved all his 
property. — Cerie equvJem, see in Lex. equidem, Lb. and Gr. § 191, E. 4. — 

Qua—frrr/os, connected with omnia, expressing the extent of the property, 
Con. It is probable that Virgil here describes the situation of his own estate, 

extending from the hills to the river Mincius, H. — Ojia se subducere, etc., see 

in Lex. subduio, II. A. 2. 

8. MoUique jugum demittere clivo, ' and to lower the summit by a gentle 
declivity,' i. e. to sink with a gentle descent to the plain. 



ECLOGA IX. — NOTES. 171 

9. Ad aquam, scil. Mincil, Forb. — Fracia cacumina, see on E. 2, 3. 

10. Vesti'um, for Moeris had spoken in the first person plural, K. — Menal- 
can. Under this name Virgil is here referred to, Wr. 

11. Audieras, etc. The meaning is, ' you heard so, no doubt, for such was 
the report.' — £t, see in Lex. II. 6, and cf. E. 1, 48. 

12. Nostra, see on v. 2. 

13. Chaonias, see on Hyblaeis, E. 1, 55. Chaonia was that part of Epirus 
in which was situated Dodona, famed for its oracle in an oak grove. — Aquila 
veniente, ' when the eagle comes,' i. e. comes to attack them. 

14. Quod nisi, ' and if not.' — Me. We may suppose that it was Moeris who 
fii-st observed the prophetic bird, and that he then informed Menalcas of 
what it portended, K. — Quacumque, scil. via or ratione, 'on any terms.' 
That some compromise took place is evident; one of its conditions must 
have been the uitruder's delay of taking possession, V. — Incidere, see 2, in- 
cido, II. in Lex. 

15. Sinistra, see in Lex. II. C. — Monuisset . . . viveret, Gr. § 261, 1. 

16. Tmis Mc, ' this thy.' 

17. Cadit in quemquam iantum scelus ? i. e. ' can any one be capable of such 
a crime ' ? cadere having sometimes the signification of ' to belong to,' * to at- 
tach to,' see in Lex. 11. 2. 

18. Solatia, i. e. carmina, because his songs were to the peasants a solace 
of their cares and labors, Wr. 

19. Quis caneret, etc., i. e. if Menalcas (Virgil) had been slain by the vete- 
rans, Forb. — The reference in this and the following verse is to E. 5, 20 & 40. 

20. Spargeret . . . inducer et, see on E. 6, 4'6. — Fo7iies induceret umbra, Gr. 
§ 249, L Cf. on E. 5, 40. 

21. Vel, scil. quis caneret ea. — Sublegi tacitus tibi, ' I silently picked up 
firom you,' i. e. learned from you, without your knowing it, while you were 
singing. Tibi, i. e. Moeris, cf. v. 44, but K. and Con. refer it to Menalcas. 

22. Te ferres, see in Lex. fero, B. 1, & {/3). — Delicias, AmarylUda, nostras, 
' Amaryllis my beloved,' or more probably, ' our beloved,' ' the delight of us 
all,' whom all the swains admire. 

23. This and the two following lines are translated from Theocx-itus, 3, 
3 — 5. — Dum redeo, see dupi in Lex. II. {,8). — Brevis est via, Gr. § 323, 4, (6). — 
Pasce — age — caveto, Gr. § 267. 

24. Potum, see on E. 7, 11.- Inter agendum, Gr. § 275, II. R. 3. 

25. Occitrsare caveto, 'beware of meeting.' 

26. Immo, 'nay,' scil. quis caneret. — Varo. Concerning Varus see the Ar- 
gument to E. 6. — Nee dum, see neque, II. 4, in Lex. 

27. Yare, etc. The order is, Vare, tuum nomen cantantes sublime ferent ad 
sidera cycni, superet, etc. Siq)eret, see in Lex. I. 3. 

28. Nimium vicina, ' too near,' though they were forty miles apart. The 
lands of Cremona, which had been assigned to the soldiers, not proving suf- 
ficient for them, a part of the adjoining district of Mantua was added, H. 



172 ECLOGA IX. NOTES. 

29. Ferent ad sidera,?.ee on E. 5, 51, and cf. E. 6, 10.— Cycni. The singing 
of the swans is here very aptly introduced, as these birds frequented the Min- 
cius, Wr. 

30. Sic, see in Lex. II. E., 'so— may'; cf. E. 10, 4. The meaning is; so 
may your bees avoid the yew-trees, etc., as you shall repeat to me more 
of the verses of IMenalcas, E. — Tua examina, i. e. domini, cf. on vs. 2 & 12. 
Examina, cf. on E. 7, 13. — Cyrneas. This epithet is used in speaking of the 
yew, because that tree abounded in Corsica; cf. on E. 1, 55. — Taxos. The 
yew-tree was prejudicial to the bees, and tlie honey from it bitter. Cf. G. 2, 
257; 4,47, Jf., Wr., Forh. 

32. Indpe, scil. canere, cf. E. 5, 10 & 10, 6, Forh.—Si quid habes, cf. E. 3, 
&2.—Ef, see in Lex. II. 8. 

34. Vatem, i. q. poetam, cf. E. 7, 25, sq. //. ; but a distinction seems in- 
tended here between poeta and rates, the latter being the more honorable 
term, though the exact distinction cannot be defined: vatcs may be rendered 
' inspired bard,' or ' bard.' — Non ego credulus illis, scil. sum, ' I am not credu- 
lous of them,' ' I do not credit what they say.' 

35. Varius and Cinna were two poets cotemporary with Virgil, and then 
held in high repute. 

36. Sed, scil. videor. — Argutos, ' melodious,' Forh. — Strepere, ' to cackle ' — 
Anser. Servius says that Virgil here puns upon the name of Anser, a poet, 
who would appear to have been obnoxious to Virgil. — 37. Ago, Lex. III. 3. 

38. Si, see on E. 6, 57. — Neque, i. q. non enim, Forb. — Neque est ignobile, 
' for it is not obscure,' i. e. ' for it is famous ' or ' excellent.' 

39. These verses are derived from Theocritus, 11, 42 — ^49. — Hue ades, see 
on E. 7, 9. — Galatea was one of the daughters of Nereus and was beloved at 
the same time by Polyphemus the Cyclops, and by Acis. The Cyclops slew 
his more favored rival, but Galatea fleeing took refuge in the sea, and changed 
Acis into the Sicilian river of the same name; cf. Ov. Met. 13, 750, sq. Forb. 
— Quis nam, separated by tmesis, Gr. § 323, 4, (5). 

40. Purjmreum, see in Lex. II. B., and cf. on G. 2, 319. — Flumina circum, 
Gr. ^ 279, 10, (/). Circum, see in Lex. II. 4.-42. Lenfae, see on E. 3, 38. 

43. Insani, ' mad', ' wild.' — Feriant sine, Gr. § 262, II. 4. 

44. Quid, quae, etc. Gr. § 229, R. 3, 2, ' what do you say of,' ' what of.' 
Where a new subject is introduced, quid is thus used in interrogations to de- 
note a strong desire to be informed on that subject, Wr. — Pura sub node, 
* under ' or ' in a clear night.' The night is conceived of as a covering spread 
out above the earth, Forb. 

4ib. Numeros, ' the tune,' see in Lex. II. D. 2. — Si^modo, dummodo, ' if 
only,' ' provided that,' Wr. — Tenerem, see in Lex. B. 2, b. The conditional 
clause, si tenerem, is not logically connected with the other, but with some- 
thing understood, as, et carmen ipsum revocarem, si, etc. Con. 

46. The meaning is ; why do you observe those old constellations ? 
Watch rather the newly risen star of Caesar, Forb. — Daphni. Daphnis 
seems here to be intended only for a fictitious name of a shepherd, M. He is 
addressed as the representative of the shepherds who watch the stars for 



ECLOGA IX. XOTES. 173 

agricultural purposes, G. 1, 204, sq., 257, 258, Con.— Quid, Gr. § 235, R. 11. — 
Antiques dynorum mHus, for antiquoram (' old,' ' long-known ') signorum (' con- 
stellations ') ortu.-i, Wr., Forb. See Gr. § 205. R. 14. 

47. The allusion is to the comet or star which appeared for seven days to- 
gether at the time when Octavianus was giving games in honor of Julius. 
The popular belief was that that star was the deified soul of Caesar, H., K., 
M. — Processlt, ' has appeared,' ' has arisen,' cf. E. 6, 86, note. 

48. This star is represented as foretelling and hastening agricultural pros- 
perity, //., Co7i. — Quo denotes the means and not the time. 

49. Duceret colorem, see duco, B. 5, in Lex., i. e. ' grow purple,' Forb. 

50. Insere piros, cf. on E. 1, 74. — The meaning is ; graft your fruit trees 
now, while so propitious a star is shining, and it will be that not only you but 
your descendants shall gather fruit from the trees grafted by you, Wr. 

51. We are to suppose that Moeris, his memory failing him, suddenly 
stops without being able to finish what he had commenced; and he therefore 
sorrowfully adds ; omnia ftrt, etc. — Fert, i. q. aufert, cf. on E. 5, 34. — Animum, 
see in Lex. IIL 2. — Saepe ego, ate. The meaning is; Avhen a boy 1 often 
passed whole days in singing. 

52. Condere, Gr. § 268, 2, R. 1, (a). See in Lex. condo, IL 3, b. 

53. Oblita, scil. svnt, in a passive sense, ' forgotten,' Gr. § 142, 4, (&).— 
Mihi, Gr. ^ 225, IL 

54. Ltqd Moeriin videre priores. This alludes to a curious superstition 
of the ancients, that if any one was seen by a wolf before he saw the wolf, he 
lost the use of his voice, //., K. — Priores, 'first.' 

55. The order is, satis saepe, Serv. — Referet, ' will repeat.' 

56. Causando, 'by makhig excuses.' — In longum, 'for a long time', see lon- 
gus, IL in Lex. — Ducis, ' put off",' ' delay/ see in Lex. II. B. 3. — Amwes, ' de- 
sire,' viz. of hearing you sin^. 

57. Tibi, ' for thee,' i. e. that you may the better be heard, Forb. — Stratum, 
' made smooth,' see sterna, I. B. in Lex. — Aequor, ' the surface ' of the lake, 
' the lake,' i. e. near Mantua, formed by the river Mincius, H. 

58. Omnes ventosi murmuvis aurae, ' all the breezes of windy murmur,' H., 
Gr. § 211, R. 6; or ventosi murmuris maybe taken as equivalent to venti mur~ 
murantis, ' every breath of murmuring' or 'whispering wind.' — Ceciderunt, 
see in Lex. II. 6. 

59. Hinc adeo, 'Just from this place,' see 2. adeo, B. 2, c, in Lex. — 
Media est nobis via, ' is half our journey,' Gi*. § 226. — Sepulcrum. It was the 
custom among the ancients to make their sepulchres near the highways. If. 

61. Strinyunt froiides, cf. on E, 1, 57; 2, 70. The leaves were also stripped 
off from certain trees for fodder. 

62. Tamen, ' notwithstanding,' i. e. though we stop here awhile and sing 
we shall reach the city betimes. 

63. Nox plaviam ne colUgdt, ' lest the night gather the rain,' i. e. lest the 
night gather the clouds, the prelude of rain, H., Wr., Con. 

64. Licet eamus, Gr. ^ 273, 4, (a). — Usque with eamus, ' we may go right 
on'; see in Lex. III. (y). — Laedit, 'wearies,' 'is wearisdme.' 

15* 



174 ECLOGA X. NOTES. 

65. Hoc fasce, ' this burden,' i. e. the kids which he is carrying, v. 62, H. 

66. Desine 'plura, see on E. 5, 19. — Quod nunc instat, agamus, i. e. carry 
the kids to the new master; cf. v. 6. 

67. ^;se, i. e. Menalcas. — Ventrit, i. e. shall have returned to his farm, 
Forb. 



ECLOGA X.— GALLUS. 

ARGUMENT. 

C. Cornelius Gallus (see E. 6, 64), had a mistress, Lycoris, whose praises 
he celebrated in elegies which are mentioned by Propertius, Ovid and others. 
Having been deserted by his faithless mistress he is represented in this Ec- 
logue as lying under a solitary rock in Arcadia, deploring his unhappy love. 
The poem consists of an introduction, (vs. 1 — 8); an account of the sympa- 
thy manifested for him by inanimate things, as well as by the flocks, the 
shepherds, and even the gods (vs. 9 — 30); the complaints of the deserted 
lover himself (vs. 31 — 51); and a conclusion, in which Virgil declares his 
affection for Gallus, H. Virgil is supposed to narrate the story in a song, as 
he is tending his goats. 

The structure of the poem is taken from Theocritus, Idyl 1. ; Con. 

NOTES ON THE TENTH ECLOGUE. 

1. He commences by invoking the fountain-nymph Arethusa, who pre- 
sided over a Sicilian fountain, to aid him in this his last pastoral song. Cf. 
onE. 7, 21; 4, 1 & 6, 1. 

2. Sed quae is the antithesis to paucn; though few they must be such as 
may attract even her scornful eye. Con. 

3. Dicenda, see on E. 3, 55. — Instead of the punctuation given in the text, 
Wagner places a colon after laborem and a period after Lycoris, and in this he 
is followed by Forb., but this change, as Conington remarks, seems plainly 
for the worse, as meo Gallo would come awkwardly after mihi, while pauca 
evidently refers to carmina. 

4. Sic tibi, etc. Cf. on E. 9, 30. — Flnctus Sicanos, 'the Sicilian waves,' 
i. e. the Ionian sea, between Sicily and Greece, if. For the fable here re- 
ferred to see Arethusa and Alpheus in Lex. 

5. Boris, see in Lex. Dores, II. 4, (0). 

6. Sollicilos, 'anxious,' i. e. qui aniinum soUicitum reddunt, H., causing 
anxiety; see in Lex. B. 

7. While the poet is singing his goats browse; cf. E. 5, 12. 

8. Respondent, i. e. resonant per echo, H., ' echo back,' 'repeat.' Cf. E. 1, 5. 



ECLOGA X. NOTES. 175 

9. Hahuere, ' held/ ' detained.' 

10. Naides puellae, ' Naiad maidens ' or * nymphs.' Naides seems to be 
used here in its proper signification of ' water-nymphs,' Parnassus and Pin- 
dus being mentioned with reference to the springs at those places, and which 
we may- suppose the Naiads frequented, //., TFr. ; but Voss^ Wch., Forh. 
and others understand the Muses themselves to be meant. — Indigno^ 'unwor- 
thy,' i. e. such as he did not deserve to meet with. Cf. on E. 8, 18. 

11. Parnnsi juga. Juga is used because there were two peaks to Parnas- 
sus, Wr. — Pindi, a range of mountains between Thessaly and Epirus. 

12. Maram fecere. These mountains did not detain them, for they, not 
less than Maenalus and Lycaeus, mourned the hard fate of Gallus, H. — 
Aonie, a Greek form for Aonia, ' Aonian.' 

15. Maenalus and Lycaeus being mountains of Arcadia, the scene is now 
changed to that country, Virgil himself being represented as present with 
Gallus, see v. 26, //. 

16. Nostii nee poenitet illas, etc., Gr. § 229, R. 6. ' neither are they 
ashamed of us (shepherds) nor do you be ashamed of the flock'; i. e. they 
delight in us and our songs and pity our griefs, and do not you, though a 
divine poet, disdain to be represented by me as in the company of sheep and 
shepherds; — do not scorn your association with pastoral poetry. 

18. £t, 'too,' ' even,' see in Lex. IL 8. — Ad Jiumina, see on E. 6, 64. 

19. Tardi. The epithet ' slow ' is applied to the swineherds from their in- 
active and sedentary life while tending the swine, since they did not accom- 
pany these whei-ever they went, as shepherds did the sheep, but guided and 
called them together by the sound of the horn, Wr. Although subulci has 
the authority of the manuscripts and of Wr., Jahn and Forb., many editions 
have bubulci. which Avas adopted principally because it was supposed that the 
epithet tardi applied to the latter, as indicating the slow movement acquired 
by those who follow cattle, but that it liad no particular application to swine- 
herds. The explanation of Wr. removes this difficulty. 

20. Uvidus hiberna de glande, ' wet from the winter acorns,' i. e. wet with 
the water in which the acorns were steeped. In Italy acorns were gathered 
in winter (see G. 1, 305) and were kept in water: they Avei'e then used as 
food for cattle. Hiberna may be used here with reference either to the time 
of collecting or of feeding the acorns ; probably the latter. De glande, see 
in Lex. de, C. 4, and Gr. § 247, R. 1.— Menalcas is here the name of a 
herdsman. 

21. Unde amor iste, i. e. a qua puella ; quam puellam amas f H. — Venit Apol- 
lo, etc. The deities are now represented as coming to console him. 

22. Quid insanis ? Tnsanire, ' to be mad,' to rave,' like the Greek fiaiveadai, 
is often used in speaking of lovers, Forb. — Cura, see in Lex. II. B. 2. 

23. Lycoris is supposed to have deserted Gallus and to have accompanied 
across the Rhine some soldier of the army of Agrippa on his expedition into 
Gaul, a. u. c. 716 ; cf. v. 47. 

24. Agresti capitis Silvamis honore, scil. cum, ' Silvanus came with the 
rural honor of his head,' i. e. adorned with a garland of fennel giant and 



176 ECLOGA X. NOTES 

lilies. This deity is usually represented as wearing a crown composed of the 
leaves of trees or of large flowei's and reeds, and carrying in his hand the 
stem of a cypress or other tree, H. Cf. G. 1, 20. 

25. i^/orewiles, 'blossoming,' 'flowering.' — Ferulas. The ferula or 'giant 
fennel ' is a large plant, growing to the height of six or eight feet, with leaves 
cut into small segments like those of fennel, but larger. The flowers are yel- 
low, and grow in large umbels, like those of fennel, M. 

26. Quern vidimus ipsi. Virgil lays stress on his having been allowed to 
look on Pan, as this deity did not often permit himself to be seen, Wr. Ipsi, 
see on v. 15. 

27. The Romans were accustomed to paint the statues of their rural dei- 
ties with a red color; cf. also E. 6, 22, Forb. — EbuU. "The ebulus, 'dwarf- 
elder ' or ' dane-wort ' is a sort of elder and very like the common elder-tree, 
but differs from it essentially, in being really an herb. The juice of the ber- 
ries is of a red purple color. It has obtained the name of dane-wort among 
us, because it is fabled to have sprung from the blood of the Danes, when 
those people were massacred in England," 31. — Minio, 'cinnabar,' ' Ver- 
million.' 

28. acquis ent modus, scil. lacrimis tuis ; as appears from what follows. 
Ecquis., see Gr. § 137, 3. — Amor in this and the following verse is the god 
of love ; see in Lex. avior, c. 

30. Cf. E. 7, vs. 51, 52. 

31. At denotes that his grief was not alleviated by what the gods had said, 
Well. — Ille, i. e. Gallus. — Tamen, as Wr. observes, here introduces a consola- 
tory thought : though Love care nothing for grief or tears ' yet ' I find conso- 
lation in the thought that the shepherds of Arcadia will sing of my love; 
cf. V. 34. 

32. Montihus, a dative, cf. E. 2, 5. — Ilaec, i. e. my love, see v. 34. — Soli 
cantare periti, cf. on E. 7, 4 & 5 ; E. 5, 2. 

33. mihi, etc. ; cf. the well kno^vn formula, sit tibi terra levis. — Quiescani. 
Some manuscripts have quiescent, but the subj. is here preferable, as express- 
ing what is contingent and at the same time an object of desire witli Gallus; 
Gr. §260, IL and (1). 

35. Ex vobis unus, Gr. § 212, E, 2, N. 4.-36. Viniior, 'a vintager.' 

37. Phyllis . . . Amyntas ; names of imaginary persons. The thought is ; 
whether Phyllis or Amyntas, or whoever should be my rustic love, our mode 
of life would have kept us united. 

38. Furor, ' love ' ; cf. v. 22, and E. 3, 66. — Si fuscus Amyntas, scil. sit. 

39. Cf E. 2, 16, 18. 

40. Columella says that vines were sometimes trained on willows, 5, 7, 
and Conington remarks that they are so trained at the present day, in Lom- 
bardy, as he is informed. 

41. Serta, ' garlands,' i. e. flowers to form garlands, K. 

42. But why dream of Phyllis and Amyntas ? Why might I not be enjoy- 
ing this life with Lycoris ? Con. 



ECLOGA X. NOTES. 177 

43. Ipso aero, 'by old age itself,' to denote the durability of his love: he 
declares that he could pass his whole life with her here, K. 

44. From tills dream of Arcadian bliss his mind now returns to the real 
state of their affairs, namely, that he is engaged in military service in one 
quarter, while she is the companion of one Avho is serving in another, K. — 
Nunc, ' but now.' Nunc is often thus used to contrast an actual state with 
an hypothetical one, //. — Martis is to be connected with insanus amor. 

45. Adversos, ' adverse.' 

46. Pvocul a 2i((tna, Gr. § 241, R. 2. — Nee sit mihi credere^ i. e. utinam 
liceat mihi non credere; ne coyar credere ! fifi ht) fioi neidiaOai, 'let me not be- 
lieve,' H. Sit mihi, cf. on E. 3, 101. Credere tantum, Gr. § 202, III. R. 2.— 
Tantum, i. e. tarn atrocem rem, ' so dreadful a thing.' 

47. Alijinns, see on v. 23. 

48. Me sine, Gr. § 323, 4, (1). 

50. He now declares that, as a remedy for his loA'^e, he will devote himself 
to poetry and music, K. — Chalcidico versu, i. e. of Euphorion, boru at Chal- 
cis, some of whose poems Gallus had translated or imitated. Cf. on E. 6, 72. 

51. Pastoris Siculi, i. e. Theocritus. — Modulalwr, 'will set to music'; cf. 
on E. 5, 14. 

53. Pad, see in Lex. B. 2, and cf. disce sine armis posse pati, Lucan, 5, 
313. — Iiuidere amores, etc., cf. E. 5, 13. 

54. Crescent illae : ct ei quantum trunci, tantum mea nomina crescunt, Ov. 
Epist. 5, 23, 24. 

55. Mlxtis Nymphis, instead of mixtus or permixtus Nymphis^^cum Nymphis. 

57. Cf. G. 3, 409 — 413. — Parihenios, ' of Mount Parthenius,' in Arcadia, iu 
which country the poet represents Gallus as being; cf. on v. 15. 

58. Per, ' over.' — Lucosqiie sonantes, i. e. resounding with the barking of 
dogs and the shouts of hunters, or rather, as agitated by the winds ; the latter 
being more in accordance with poetic usage, H. 

59. Pariho and Cydonia are epithela ornantia (cf. on E. 1, 55) as the Par- 
thians and Cretans were the nations most noted for archery, K. — Torquere, 
' to hurl,' i. e. ' to shoot.' 

60. Tamquam, etc. He feels that the remedy which he had but just now 
appi'oved Of is of no avail, and therefore rejects it, Wr. — Haec refers to the 
sentence preceding, but is attracted into the gender of the noun, see Gr. 
§ 206, (11). 

61. Deus ilk, i. e. Amor, cf. on E. 8, 43. — Mitescere, ' to soften at,' ' become 
compassionate.' 

62. Hamadryddes, * the wood-nymphs,' referring to the nymphs of v. 55, 
Cvn. Cf on E. 5, 59. 

63. Ipsa . . . ip>sae, denote excellence in the objects, and admiration on the 
part of the speaker: In which formerly I took great delight; Wr. — Concedite, 
' depart,' ' farewell,' ye give me no relief. 

64. Non — nee — nee, Gr. § 277, R. 5, («); cf. E. 4, 55. — Ilium, see on. v. 61. 
— Mutare, i. e. ' move to pity,' Forh. — Labores, ' hardships,' either as hunter 
or shepherd. 



178 ECLOGA X. NOTES. 

65. Friyoiihus, cf. E. 2, 22, and see in Lex. I. B. 1. 

66. SUho7iias, see on E. 1, 55. — Hlemis aquosae. The epithet aquosae^ as 
Wr. observes, is applicable to an Italian rather than to a Thracian winter, and 
may therefore be regarded here as epitheion ornans. — Subeamus, see in Lex. 
IL B. 2, b. 

67. Quum moriens, etc. denote mid-summer's heat, Fo7b. 

68. Aethiopwn versemus oves, for inter Aethiojjes, in Aethiopia, H. Versemus, 
see in Lex. under verso^ I. 

69. He now wisely concludes to yield to Love, since Love conquers every- 
tliing. 

70. The poet, in the character of a goat-herd (see on v. 7), now speaks in 
his own person, addressing himself to the Muses. 

71. Sedet, Gr. § 259, (1), (c): cf. E. 7, Q.— GracilifsceUam, etc. Basket- 
work is the shepherd's employment for idle hours, Forb., Con. — Hibisco, cf. 
on E. 2, 30. 

72. Facietis (ut sint) maxima, i. e. gratissima, * most acceptable to,' * of 
veiy great value in the eyes of,' Forb., K. 

73. Gallo, see Gr. § 324, 17.— Cujus amor mihi crescii, ' my love for whom in- 
creases.' Cujus, objective genitive. 

74. Novo, i. e. ' early.' — Subjicit, see in Lex. 1. A. 

75. Gravis, see in Lex. I. B. 3. — Cantantibus. The cool shade of evening 
would be more apt to injure persons warmed by the exertion of singing than 
those who were silent or engaged in ordinary conversation, Forb. — Umbra, 
scil. vesperiina. 

76. Juniperi gravis umbra. The juniper was supposed to give forth nox- 
ious exhalations, especially toward night, H. — Nocent umbrae, cf. G. 1, 121, 
156. 

77. lie domum saturae, ('well-fed,' 'sated'), cf. E. 1,75; 7, 44, and see 
Gr. § 237, E. 4. — Venit Jlesperus, i. e. in conspecium venit, oritur, sole occi- 
dente, E. 



p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 
LIBER PRIMUS. 

ARGUMENT. 

I. General subject of the whole poem, viz., Agriculture, Book I. ; Vines 
and Trees, Book II.; Cattle, Book III.; Bees, Book IV. (vs. 1—4). 

II. Invocation of deities and of Julius Caesar, (vs. 5 — 42). 

III. Preparations for sowing, (vs. 43 — 99). 

1. Ofploughing, (vs. 43— 70). 

2. Means of strengthening the soil, (vs. 71 — 93). 

3. Pulverizing the earth, (vs. 94 — 99). 

IV. Of things to be attended to after sowing, (vs. 100—159). 

1. Favorable weather, (vs. 100—103). 

2. Breaking the clods, (vs. 104—105). 

3. Irrigation, (vs. 106—110). 

4. Depasturing, (vs. Ill — 113). 

5. Draining, (vs. 114—117). 

6. Protecting the soil from mischievous animals and plants, (vs. 118-159). 

V. Agricultural implements and the threshing-floor, (vs. 160 — 186). 

VI. Indications of a good or bad harvest, and the medicating and choice 
of seeds, (vs. 187—203). 

VII. Proper time for sowing, to be decided by observation of the heavenly- 
bodies: explanation of the four seasons, (vs. 204 — 258). 

VIII. How the husbandman is to employ his leisure time : what days are 
lucky or unlucky : what should be done at night and what in the day time, 
(vs. 259—310). 

IX. The weather, (vs. 311—463). 

1. Storms of particular seasons, (vs. 311 — 334). 

2. Means of guarding against them, (vs. 335 — 350). 

3. Prognostics of change of weather, (vs. 351 — 463). 

X. Political changes even foretold by the heavenly bodies : prognostics of 
the death of Juliixs Caesar : a prayer for the preservation of Augustus, (vs. 
464—514). H., Wr., Bnjce. 

The word Gcorgicon is derived form the Greek yfwpyiKoj, ' pertaining to 
agricultui-e,' which is compounded of yia, 'the earth' and epyov, 'a work'; 
see in Lex., and for the form of the genitive, Gr. § 54, 4. 

179 



180 BOOK I. NOTES. 



NOTES ON THE FIRST BOOK OF THE GEORGICS. 

1. Quid facia f, etc. In the first four verses the poet gives briefly the sub- 
ject of the four books, viz., agriculture, the cultivation of vines and trees, the 
care of cattle and of bees, //. — Laetas scgetes, either ' luxuriant crops,' or ' fer- 
tile ' ' fruitful fields ' ; cf. vs. 101, 102. — Quo sidere, ' under Avhat constellation,' 
i. e. ' at what season,' ' at what time,' ' when ' ; see in Lex. sidus, D. 

2. Vertei^e, i. e. arairo or ferro, which is added in v. 147: cf. coUis in quat- 
tuor pedes vertendus, Colum, .3, 13, 8. — Maecenas, the person at whose request 
Virgil wrote the Georgics, cf. G. 3, 41. He died a. u. c. 746, the same year 
with Horace and eleven years after Virgil, Bvyce. — Ulmis adjungere viies, 
cf. E. 2, 70. lltes; the vine is here used as a species for the c/enus of fruit- 
bearing trees, H. 

3. Qui, see on E. 2, 19. — Cultus, i. e. cu7-a. — Habendo sit pecori, 'may serve 
for preserving the flock,' i. e. may be necessary in order to keep up the stock, 
Gr. § 275, HI. R. 2 & (1). Cf. G. 3, 159. By pecori, small cattle, such as 
sheep and goats, are meant here. It is opposed to bourn, Forb., Bryce. 

4. Ajyibus, scil. sit habendis, see on v. 3. — Experientia, i. e. of the bee- 
keeper, not of the bees, K., Con. — Parcis, ' thrifty,' ' frugal,' an epithet de- 
noting the habits of the bee, Serv., Voss, K., and Con., and not, as Wr. and 
Forh. hold, used here in the sense of ' scanty,' ' few,' to express the difficulty 
of keeping up the stock of bees. 

5- Hinc, 'from this point of time,' 'riow,' H., Con.: according to Voss and 
Forb. =.}iorum partem, as if to show the modesty of the poet. — Vos, etc. 
Here begins the invocation, (ending v. 42), first of the deities whose influence 
on agriculture is greatest, and whose aid he seeks in the prosecution of his 
work, and secondly of Caesar, who, according to our poet, was to become a god. 

6. Lumina, i. e. Sol et Luna. — Labentem caelo quae ducitis annum, ' which 
lead along the sky the gliding year,' i. e. whose course in the heavens indi- 
cates and occasions the different seasons of the year. They are said to lead 
the year caelo, i. e. in cado, because they themselves rise and set in the 
heavens. Labentem, 'gliding' fitly denotes the course of time, H. — From the 
words ferte pedem, v. 11, we are to supply the thought ' aid my song,' //. 

7. After invoking the Sun and Moon, as the first and most important 
powers in all matters pertaining to agriculture, the poet proceeds to name 
those deities whose special intervention is necessary in the several depart- 
ments of rural affairs: thus for the first book Ceres is entreated; for the 
second, Bacchus, the Fauns, the Nymphs, Silvanus and Llinerva; for the 
third, Neptune, Aristaeus and Pan, and for the fourth, the same Aristaeus, 
who was skilled in all the matters of husbandry, and whose knowledge of 
bees was especially remarkable, Brijce. — Libei' et alma Ceres. The critics 
have been in doubt whether Liber and Ceres are in apposition to or to be dis- 
tinguished from lumina, the sun and moon. The asyndeton favors the former 
view, but a similar instance of the omission of the copulative conjunction is 
shown in v. 498, and we prefer the latter opinion, with Forb. and K., who re- 



BOOK I. NOTES. 181 

fer to Varro, R. E. I., 1, 5, where he invokes Juppiter and Tellus, then Sol and 
Luna, and then Ceres and Liber. Liber and Ceres were worshipped together 
at Rome, Keightky. — Vestro munere, i. e. the gifts of the knowledge of agi-i- 
culture and of the culture of the vine. — Si, ' if,' that is, ' since,' ' inasmuch, 
as,' ' as certainly as it is the case that.' Si is often thus used in invocations 
and adjurations, cf! v, 17, H., Wr., Con. The worshipper affects to make the 
existence of the attributes of the deities dependent on the granting of his 
prayer, Con. 

8. The thought is, the giving to men corn instead of acorns, which were 
formerly their food, and wine instead of water. — Chaoniam, see on E. 9, 13. — 
Pingui, ' plump,' ' large,' H., Forb. Cf. in Psalms 81, 16, ' the finest of the 
wheat,' i. e. in the Hebrew, 'the fat of wheat.' — Glandem mutavit arista, Gr. 
§ 252, R. 5. 

9. Pocuki Acheloia, 'draughts of Achelous,' i.e. * of water.' The river 
Achelous was said to be the oldest of all rivers, and the poets frequently use 
its name, as here, for water in general. — Inveniis, 'newly discovered,' M. — 
Uvis, by metonymy for vino. Cf. Donee eras mixtus nuUis, Acheloe, racemis, 
Ov. Fast. 5, 343, Fo7-b. The ancients were accustomed to mingle Avater with 
their wine, Wr. 

10. Praesentia, see on E. 1, 42. 

11. Ferfe pedem, scil. hue, ' come hither,' ' come to my aid,' Forb. — DryOr- 
des. He invokes the Dryads because they are the goddesses of the woods in 
which the herds pasture, Wr. Cf. on E. 5, 59 ; 10, 62. 

12. Munera vesira, i. e. corn, the vine, herds and flocks ; vestra referring 
to all the deities he had named, H. — Prima, an adj. agreeing with tellus, in- 
stead of an adverb qualifying the verb fudit, ' first,' Wr. ; see Gr. § 205, 
R. 15, (a), and cf. on E. 6, 1. The poet refers to the legend of Neptune's pro- 
ducing the first horse, by a stroke of his trident, Cerda, Voss. 

14. CuUor nemorum, i. e. Aristaeus, worshipped in the island of Cea under 
the names of Jupjnter and Ap)ollo Nomios. Cultor is generally taken here as 
equivalent to incola, but the better meaning would seem to be ' who carest 
for, 'the guardian of the forest pastures, (in which the cattle feed, see on E. 
1, 2), and so guardian of the herds themselves; cf. E. 3, 61. Nemorum, cf. E. 
8, 86, where nemora—saltus, as here. — Cui, ' for whom ' as presiding deity, 
i. e. ' through Avhom.,' ' by whose favor,' Forb.—Pinguia, ' luxuriant,' Con. ; 
or if referring to the herbage among the bushes, =herbosa, 'grassy,' H., K. 

15. Ter centum, a definite for an indefinite number, and used merely to 
express that the herd was numerous, K., V. 

16. Nemus patrium, etc. Pan was the great deity of Arcadia, in which 
were the mountains Lycaeus and Maenalus and the city Tegea. 

17. Si, see on v. I.—Maenala, cf. E. 10, 55, for the same plural form. 

1.8. Favens, ' propitious.'— Oleaeque, etc. According to the fable, there 
was a contest between Neptune and ]\Iinerva for the honor of naming Athens, 
when the former produced a horse, the latter an olive-tree, to which, as the 
most useful, the preference was given. 

19. Puer, i. e. Triptoleraus, who is generally represented as a youth. 



182 BOOK I. NOTES. 

20. Ab radlce, ' from the root,' i. e. ' with the root,' W)\, Forb., as we say, 
'root and all'; cf. v. 319. — Silvaiie, see on E. 10, 24. 

21. Dique deaeque oinnes. Under this head he groups together the host 
of deities, who according to the Roman religion, presided over the country 
and the operations of agi-iculture, H.^ K. This is according to the custom 
of the priests, who used, after the particixlar invocations, to invoke all the 
gods in general, M. — Studium, scil. est. What is the subject of est f Gr. § 209, 
E. 3, (5); see on v. 213. 

22. Novas, ' new,' i. e. ' young.' — Non ullo semine, ' without any seed,' i. e. 
' spontaneous,' ' unsoMTi,' opposed to satis in v. 23. Cf. G. 2, 10, sq. — Fruges^ 
' plants ' in general, K 

24. The poet now invokes Caesar, as soon to become a deity. Keightley 
observes that this is the first instance of that species of adulation. — Adeo: see 
2, adeo, B. 2, a, in Lex., and cf. on E. 4, 11. 

25. Urbesne, etc. Whether you prefer being numbered among the divini- 
ties ruling the earth, the sea, or the regions of air, V. — Invisere=i(t>opav, ' to 
oversee,' 'inspect,' 'have the care of.' Invisere, and curavi in the next verse, 
both depend upon veils. Cf. the change from a substantive to an inf., E. 5, 46, 
Forb. But Heyne makes curam the object of some verb, as habere or susci- 
pere, understood, to be supplied from invlsere, meaning to ' undertake ' or 
'take'; and Wr. for wrSes reads Mr5is, which he makes a genitive, meaning 
the city Rome, and curam the object oiinvisere. — Caesar, scil. Octavianus. 

26. Maximus orbis, i. e. oi'bis terrarum, H. Maximus for magnus or per- 
magnus, Gr. § 122, R. 4. Orbis, ' the earth,' for its inhabitants. 

27. Tempestatmn potentem, ' ruler of the weather,' ' author of the changes 
of the atmosphere,' K. — Auci07^em, 'promoter,' 'the giver of increase to.' 

28. Cingens, etc. A fine image, representing the- whole human race as 
uniting to crown Caesar with a myrtle wreath, K. — Materna. The myrtle 
was sacred to Venus, from whom Caesar Octavianus claimed descent, F. ; 
cf. on E. 7, 62; also see E. 9, 47, and 2 Dionaeus in Lex. 

29. Deus, ' the god,' not ' a god,' as appeal's by sola, ultima Thule (express- 
ing the extent of the dominion) and omnibus undis. Con. — Immensi maris, the 
ttjrfi'puv i:6vT0i of Homer, Con. — Venias, ' come to be,' ' become,' Con.=futurus 
sis, H. 

30. Thule. This island was considered by the ancients as the extreme 
northern point of land, Forb. 

31. Te sihi generum emat, etc. The poet supposes that Tethys, the wife of 
Oceanus, will give to Caesar, when raised to the rank of a deity, one of the 
Oceanides for a wife, with the whole kingdom of the sea as a dowry. — 
Omnibus undis, Gr. § 252, R. 1. 

32. The allusion here is to the old belief that the souls of men were 
changed, at their death, into star^;. — Tardis, 'slow,' i. e. the summer months, 
when the days are longest, and therefore the course of the sun apparently 
slowest. This i> clear from the position which he assigns him amongst the 
constellations, K. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 183 

83. Qua locus, etc. In the ancient representations of the zodiac the space 
(afterwards filled by Libra) between the sign of Virgo (Erigone), and that 
of Scorpios, was occupied only by the claws of the Scorpion. — Chelas, 'the 
claws 'of the Scorpion, for the constellation itself. — Sequenies, 'following,' 
* next in order.' 

34. Ipse — reliquit, parenthetical. Ipse, ' of itself.' — Ardens, ' bright,' ' shin- 
ing,' as a star. 

35. Justa j)lus, ' more than sufficient ' or ' necessary,' in token of reverence 
for the new deity. — Reliquit, which is the reading of the best manuscripts, is 
more forcible than relinquit, expi'essing further the alacrity of the Scor- 
pion, Con. 

36. Quid/{uid etis, ' whatever you will become,' i. e. quicunque deus eris, 
Forb. — Sperant. Many editions have sperent, but the reading in the text, 
which has the authority of good manuscripts, and is approved by Wr., Forb., 
and Con., is more forcible and avoids a sort of tautology with v. 87: Tarta- 
rus has no hope of such an honor. — Tartara is here used to denote the Lower 
World in general, and not merely that portion of it in which the wicked were 
punished, H. 

38. Miretur, 'celebrate,' 'paint in glowing colors,' H. — Graecia, 1. e. 
' the Greeks,' ' the Greek poets,' Forb., cf. on E. 1, 63. 

39. Nee sequi curet, i. e. nolit sequi, IT. See Gr. § 273, N. 1. The poet 
probably refers to some fable respecting Prosei'pine which is now unknown, 
for the common version of the legend represents her as detained in the Lower 
World against her will. — Repeiita, 'demanded back,' 'demanded.' 

40. Da facilem cursum ; a metaphor taken from navigation ; cf. timidae 
dirit/e naris iter, Ov. Fast. I. 3, Fo7-b. Facilem, 'prosperous.' — Audacibus an- 
nue coeptis, ' favor my bold undertaking,' namely that of being the first to 
write a poem in the Latin language on agriculture, K. Gr. § 224. 

41. lynaros viae, i. e. of the way to the correct practice of agriculture. 
He-calls them ignarqs, because, on account of the long civil wars, and the 
consequent proscriptions and divisions of the lands, the rural population had 
been diminished and agriculture was almost forgotten, Forb. — Mecum is to be 
taken with miseratus. 

42. Ingredere, used absolutely, ' begin,' i. e. ' enter upon the office of de- 
ity,' ' assume the god.' Cf. E. 4, 48, where Caesar is called upon to enter on 
his divinity. Con. — Jam nunc, ' even now,' as soon to be a deity. — With this 
verse is completed the sentence begun in v. 24. 

43. The poet now treats of the various things which the husbandman is 
to do before sowing, vs. 43 — 99, commencing with the period at which to be- 
gin ploughing, vs. 43 — 49. — Vere novo. The Eoman spring began between 
tlie Nones and Ides of February, when the West wind ( Favonius or Zephy- 
ri/s J first blew, and continued till the middle of May; but ploughing was 
comm.enced as soon as the state of the weather would allow, sometimes even 
in the middle of January, Forb. — Canis, 'hoary,' i.e. covered with snow. — 
Montibus, Gr. § 255, R. 3, (5). 



184 BOOK I. ]S^OTES. 

45. Depi^esso aratro, 'the deep-pressed plow,' i.e. pressed down by the t 
ploughman, bearing on the handle. — Jam turn, ' then ^immediately,' ' then at 
once.' — Ilihi, the dativus ethlcus, to be construed Avith incipiat; cf. on E. 8, 6. 
— Taurus for hos or juvencus. 

46. Sitlco, Gr. § 247, 1. — Sjjlendescere. Servius quotes from Cato's ad- 
dress to his son: Vir bonus est, mi Jili, colendi peritus, cvjus ferramenta 
splendent. 

47. Seges, ' corn-field,' cf. E. 9, 48. — Avari, ' eager,' ' desirous,' see in 
Lex. b. 

48. Bis quae solem, etc. The common practice was to plough three times, 
in spring, summer and autumn, but where the soil was strong there was 
another ploughing, in the autumn of the previous year, H., Con. 

49. Illius, scil. segetis. — Rujjerunt, ' burst,' i. e. fill to bursting, a poetical 
exaggeration of the -great abundance, V. The perfect is sometimes found, 
as here, in the poets, (in imitation of the Greek aorist), instead of the pre- 
sent, to express a thing that is customarily done, and has already often taken 
place, Madvig, § 335, Obs. 3, and Forb. — Wagner is of the opinion that vs. 
47 — i9 were inserted by the poet after his poem was finished, as they are 
quite parenthetic. 

50. Before we commence ploughing we should learn the climate and the 
nature of the soil, vs. 50 — 62. Ac prius, etc. Many editions have at for ac ; 
but the reading in the text is supported by the best manuscripts, and ap- 
proved by Wr. and Forb., and the subject to whicli the poet here digresses is 
connected with, rather than foreign to the subject treated of in vs. 43, sq. — 
Ignotum, ' unknown,' i. e. of which the properties are yet unknown, V. — 
Aequor, ' the plain,' for agrum. 

51. Caeli morem, i. e. aeris naturam, Serv. : see in Lex. mos, IL A. 

52. Patrios cultusque habitusque locorum, as we should say, the agricultural 
antecedents of the spot, which is spoken of as if it were a person with an- 
cestors, the expression patrios cultus being virtually equivalent to proprios 
cuJtus, G. 2, 35, Con. : ' both the peculiar mode of cultivating and nature of 
places,' i. e. of particular localities. Patrios, (see in Lex. 1, patrius, IL B.) 
qualifies both cultus and habitus. Wagner explains the passage as equivalent 
to cultus habitusque locorum patriorum (' which one has inherited '), cf. on E. 
9, 46. Thei-e would then be, as W>. observes, in cultus and habitus, a case of 
hysteron proteron, since the mode of cultivating a field is learned from the na- 
ture of the field; Gr. § 323, 4, (2). 

53. Et quid, etc., i. e. what plants are best suited to the soil. 

54. Veniunt, i. q. proveniunt, crescunt. 

55. Fetus, see 2. fetus, IL 2, in Lex. — Injussa=sponte: beautifully ex- 
pressed, for land, not sown with grass-seeds, becoming natural pastm-e, V. 

56. Nonne vides. This expression is frequently used by Lucretius, in 
enumerating several things, and conveys the same meaning as preterea 
or 2)oiv'0, but with more animation, H. — Croceos odores, for crocum odoratum, 
Wr. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 185 

57. Mitiit, see in Lex. II. B. For the mood, see Gr. § 265, note 2, R. 1. 
and cf. E. 4, 52. — MoUes, see in Lex. II. 2. — Sua, i. e. ' peculiar to them,* 
produced only in their country; cf. on E. 1, 38, Gr. § 208, 8. 

58. Niidi, because men employed in forges and iron-works throw off their 
upper garments, which is all that is meant here by nudus, Serv., H., K. — 
Virosa Pontus, see in Lex. 2. Pontus, 2. 

59. Epirus furnishes the best horses, such as bear away the palm at the 
Olympian games, celebrated at Elis. — Eliadum palmas equarum, ' the palms 
of the Elean mares,' for ' the victors among the Elean mares,' ' the mares 
which win palms at Elis.' The ancients considered mares more fleet than 
male horses, H., Wr., Forb. 

60. Continuo is to be connected with quo tempore primum in the next verse, 
=statim illo tempore, or eo ipso tempore, quo primum, ' at that very time when,' 
etc., Jahn, Forb. — Has leges aeternaque foedera, for has leges et haec foedera 
aeterna, Gr. § 205, E. 2. Exc, * these laws and these eternal conditions,' viz. 
that each land should have its peculiar nature and productions, H., Forb. 

62. Deucalion lapides jactavit, cf. on E. 6, 41. 

63. Frgo age. The poet now resumes, (vs. 63 — 70), the subject of plough- 
ing, which he'had commenced with v. 43, and which was interrupted by the 
digression at v. 50. 

64. Pingue is emphatic, as is shown by v. 67, Con. 

65. Fortes is here emphatic, as the meaning to be derived is, that a rich or 
strong soil should be ploughed deep. The rhythm of the line, by the use of 
spondees, is adapted to the sense, expressing the exertion of the oxen in draw- 
ing the plough, Forb., Con. — Tauri, see on v. 45. — Jacentes, 'lying exposed.' 

66. Matuiis, 'mature,' ' that have attained their full strength,' i. e. those 
of midsummer, H., K. 

67. If the soil is poor it shoiild have only a light ploughing, in September. 
— Si non fuerit tellus fecunda, ' if the land be not rich,' i. e. if it be poor, 
fecunda meaning the same as pingue, v. 64. — Sub ipsum Arcturum, ' at the 
rising,' etc. ; see Arcturus, 1, c. in Lex. This star I'ises, according to Colu- 
mella, 11, 2, 63, on the fifth of September. 

68. Tenui sulco, ' by a light fuiTOW.' — Suspendere, scil. tellurem, (not aror- 
trum, as Forb. has it), Klotz, Con., ' to raise the earth.' The notion seems to 
be that of raising the soil so as to leave it, as it were, hanging in air. Con. 

69. IlUc, i. e. in pingui solo, H., referring to vs. 64 — 66. — Laetis, * luxu- 
riant,' ' abundant,' cf. on v. 1. The quality of the soil would make the grain 
grow luxuriantly, Con. — Herbae is here put for ' grass ' or ' weeds,' cf. G. 2, 
251, Forb. 

70. Hie, I. e. in solo sterili, Forb., referring to vs. 67, 68. 

71. He now speaks of fallow-land, vs. 71, 72. — Alternis, scil. vicihis, 'alter- 
nately,' i. e. every other year; see alternus, 2, b, in Lex. — Idem, scil. tu, 
♦you, the same,' or, as we should say, ' at the same time,' ' likewise,' implying 
that the rules already given do not exhaust the subject. Con. ; see under 
idem, I. in Lex. — Tonsas, 'reaped,' 'mown.' — Cessare, see in Lex. 2, b, (/?)• — 
Novates, ' fallow-lands,' the word being used proleptically. Con. 

16* 



186 BOOK I. NOTES. 

72. Segnem, ' idle,' lying in a state of repose and not bearing crops, 'unpro- 
ductive ' ; cf. on V. 151, & G. 2, 37. — Situ, ' by repose,' ' by rest,' R. — DureS' 
cere, ' to harden,' as the soil does when not cultivated. 

73. Or a rotation of crops may be adopted, vs. 73 — 83. — Aid ibi seres — 
unde prius, etc. The meaning is, if your farm is not so large that you cau 
allow a portion of it to lie fallow, you may every other year sow some legumi- 
nous plant, as beans, vetches, etc., in place of coi-n, Forb. Vetches and lu- 
pines were supposed actually to enrich the land, if immediately after they 
had been cut the roots were ploughed in and not left to dry in the ground, 
Col. 2, 13, 0>n. Daubeny says, " the Romans seem to have had some glimpses 
of the doctrine of the rotation of crops; but it does not appear that any sys- 
tem of culture, founded upon this knowledge, was in general use among 
them." — Mutato sidere, ' changing the season,' i. e. in another part of the fol- 
lowing year, so that the field which in one year was sown in the spring, shall 
in the next year be sown in the fall; cf. vs. 215 — 221, JaJin, Wr., Forb., see 
on V. 1. But K., Br., cf- Con. suppose the two crops to be sown at different 
seasons of the same year. — Farra, ' spelt,' for ' corn ' in general, Foi-b. 

74. Laetum, see on v. 69. — Quassante, ' rattling,' i. e. when ripe and shaken 
by the breeze ; see quasso, 11. in Lex. 

75. Tenuis. The vetch is called ' slender,' ' slight,' because its halm is so 
slender and its seed so smaU compared with those of the bean, IC — Tristis, 
'bitter,' H. Daubeny says of the lupine, " The bitterness of the seeds is the 
chief objection to this vegetable as an article of food. Virgil calls it i!r«s^fs, 
an epithet which cannot apply to the appearance of the plant, which is bright 
and cheerful, but has reference to the taste of the seeds." 

76. The construction is, fragilesque calamos silvavique sonantem tristis lu- 
pini. Fragilis, 'brittle,' i. e. when dry, and therefore sonantem when moved, 
ff. — Calamos, see in Lex. 3, a. — Silvam, 'grove,' for 'growth' or ' crop,' of 
plants growing thickly together; see in Lex. B. 1, and cf. v. 152. 

77. Urit enim, etc. The general sense is, that an alternation of crops is 
useful, as it prevents the exhaustion of the soil, even where exhausting crops 
are sown, if only after each crop there is a plentiful manuring. Flax, oats 
and poppies are specified merely as instances of crops which exhaust the 
soil, though of course they are chosen as significant instances, Wr., Con. — 
Fnim=quidem, ^ indeed,^ 'of a truth,' Wr., Forb. But Pleyne would supply 
before enim the thought; I would not recommend the use of flax, oats or pop- 
pies alternately with corn. — Urit, 'consumes,' 'exhausts.' — Lini. Daubeny 
says that flax, " as being particularly noxious to the land, is not to be sown 
unless when the largeness of the produce or the high price it will fetch, holds 
out a strong inducement ; in which case the richest soil is to be selected. 
This is confirmed by the testimony of Virgil, who says that flp.x burns up 
the soil, and is in accordance with the experience of modern farmers, who 
pronounce it to be an exhauster of the soil, especially when the seeds are 
allowed to arrive at maturity." — Avenue, scil. segcs. — Uik — urit — urunt, 
Gr. § 324, 13. 



BOOK I. NOTES. ' 187 

78. LetJiaeo, etc. Poppies, from their narcotic qualities, are poetically- 
said to be sprinkled with sleep, which is further called Lethean, from Lethe, 
the river of oblivion, K. 

79. Alternis, ' alternately,' see on v. 71, i. e. when the crops are made to 
alternate with each other.; — Facilis labor, scil. campi, from v. 77 ; the land will 
easily bear it, K. The land is said ' to labor,' just as it is said defatigari, 
refoveri, recreari; cf. v. 150, H. — Aricla, 'parched,' by the exhausting effect 
of the flax, etc. Con. — Sed tainen, cf. on E. 1, 19. 

80. Sola is also found in the plur. in Lucr. 2, 592, in Cic. Balb. 5, 13, and 
in other writers, Forb. 

81. Effetos, 'worn out,' 'exhausted,' see on arida, v. 79. — Clnerem. These 
were, of course, wood-ashes, K. 

82. Sic quoque, ' thus also,' is explained by mutatis fetibus. Kest is gained 
by a change of crops as well as by leaving the land untilled. Con. 

83. Nee nulla interea, etc. ' Nor meanwhile is there the thanklessness 
(i. e. unproductiveness) of unploughed land' ; i. e. by a rotation of crops you 
will avoid the disadvantage of letting the land lie fallow, yielding nothing, 
Voss., Wi\, Forb. Nee thus qualifies the clause nulla est inaratae gratia ter- 
rae; and nidla gratia means 'thanklessness,' 'unproductiveness,' as gratia is 
said of land which repays the labor bestowed on it, and restores the seed 
committed to it with interest. Con. But Heyne interprets the verse, 'mean- 
while' (i. e. while lying idle) 'the fallow-land is not thankless,' inasmuch as 
it produces a more abundant crop in the following year; nee nulla being thus 
taken as equivalent to aliqua. 

84. It is useful also to burn the stubble in the fields, vs. 84 — 93. — Saepe is 
to be taken with prqfuit. — Steriles agros, ' the sterile,' ' unproductive fields,' 
i. e. the stubble on them. 

85. The rapidity of the flames is well expressed by the dactyls in this 
verse, Forb., cf. on vs. 65, 289. 

86. Sire inde, etc. Here follow the advantages supposed to be derived 
from burning the stubble. The general meaning of the passage, as explained 
by Daubeny, is, " whether it communicates rich juices to the land, or cor- 
rects bad ones ; opens the pores of the soil to allow the nutritious juices ac- 
cess to the young plants, or renders it more compact; so as to prevent its 
being injured either by the showers, the excessive heat of summer, or the 
severe cold of winter." The same writer remarks, that it is very problem- 
atical whether the process of burning can ever act in the last of the ways 
named, that is, by rendering loose soils more compact, it being generally con- 
sidered by agriculturists that light and sandy soils are injured by the oper- 
ation. 

88. Vitium, 'fault,' 'hurtful quality.' — Inutilis humor, 'the pernicious mois- 
ture,' K. 

89. Vias . . . qua. Cf. Mille viis kabuisse dolum, qua signa sequendi falleret^ 
A. 5, 590. 

91. Durat. The object of dnrat seems to be the land itself, rather than 
the pores. Con. 



188 BOOK I. NOTES. 

92. Tenues, 'subtle,' 'penetrating,' implying that the injury is due to the 
nature of rain, rather than to its quantity; cf. on G. 3, 335, Forh.^ Con. But 
Wagner infers, from what follows respecting heat and cold, that excessive 
rains are referred to, and that tenues is merely ejntheton ornans, as if the poet 
had said; the slender rain falling too copiously. — Pluviae is gi'ammatically 
consti'ucted with adurant, supplied from adurat, but the sense requires tw- 
ceant, the idea of injury being implied in adurat, Gr. § 323, 1, (2), (a). 

94. It is useful also to break the clods and pulverize the earth, by the use 
of the rastrum and by cross-ploughing, vs. 9'! — 99. — Adeo, see Lex. B. 2, c. — 
Rastris, see on E. 4, 40. — Inertes, ' inactive,' i. e. ' unproductive ' until broken 
to pieces, S. 

96. Flava Ceres, the ^avdfi AvMrrip of Homer. This epithet is given to 
Ceres, according to Servius, on account of the yellow color of ripe corn. — 
Neque nequicquam special, ' does not regard him to no purpose,' i. e. she gives 
him an abundant crop. 

97. " In order to pulverize the soil completely, and to break down the 
scamna or lumps, that Avere apt to occur in the intervals between the courses 
taken by the plough. Columella recommends, that the implement should be 
afterwards made to cross the field in a direction at right angles to its former 
course. Vu-gil also makes the same remark, G. 1, 97." Daubeny. — Et qui, 
etc., i. e. etiam ille multum jurat arva, qui, etc., H. — Proscisso aequore, ' when 
the plain is broken up,' 'while breaking up the field,' Gr. § 274, R. 3, (a); 
257, note 1, & R. 4. Proscindere is the technical term for the first ploughing, 
the second being expressed by offringere, the third by Urare, Forh., Con., and 
see in Lex. under proscmcZo and liro. Aequore, see on v. 50. — Ter^n, ' the 
ridges,' i. e. the earth which the plough raises between two furrows, or the 
clods heaped up in ploughing: cf. 2nnyuis ager, j^utres glebas resoluiaque terga 
qui gent. Col. 10, 7, Forh.; see G. 2, 236: or it may mean 'the surface' pre- 
sented by the clods, Con., and see in Lex. 11. B. 

98. In obliquum verso aratro, ' turning the plough across.' The process 
of which he speaks is that of cross-ploughing, or cutting the land at right 
angles to the first ploughing, K. 

99. Exercet, 'woi'ks,' 'tills.' — Frequens, Gr. § 205, R. 15, (a). — Imperat 
arvis, see in Lex. inipero, II. B. 2. 

"100. Having completed his precepts respecting the previous tillage of the 
land, and supposing the corn to be sown, he goes on to tell what further is to 
be done (vs. 100 — 159), and begins with the kind of weather the husbandman 
should pray for ; namely, moist summers and dry winters, vs. 100 — 103, K. 
Macrobius saj^s that Virgil here follows a rusticurn cantum contained in a 
voliime of verse older than any of the compositions of the Latin poets: Hiber- 
no pulvere, verno Into, graiuUa farra, Camille, metes, H., Con. — Solstitia= 
aestatts, cf. E. 7, 47, //. 

101. Hiberno jndvere, ' by the dust of winter,' i. e. by a dry winter. — 
Lnefisslma, see on v. 1. — Farra, see on v. 73. 

102. Niillo tantvm se Mysia cidiu jactat et ipsa, etc. Wunderlich and 
Heyne interpret the passage thus, ' M^-sia does not pride herself so much 



BOOK I. NOTES. 189 

upon any culture ' (as upon such a climate as I have spoken of) ' and ' (for the 
same reason) ' Gargara itself admires its own harvests,' i. e. the fruitfulness 
of Mysia and Gargara are due especially to their having such a climate. 
But Wr. and Forb, explain it as equivalent to Mysia non tanto cultu se jactaf, 
nee tantum ipsa, etc., the negative contained in nuUo applying also to the 
second clause of the sentence : ' Mysia does not pride herself on so much cul- 
ture,' i. e. on the fruits of so much culture, ' on such abundant crops,' ' nor 
does Gargara itself so much admire,' etc., i. e. Mysia and Gargara themselves 
are not so fruitful (as common fields are rendered by a dry winter): cf. 
Omnis re^'io, quae opportunos habuerit humores, aequipai'obit fecunditatem arvo- 
rum Mysiae, Macrob. Sat. 5, 20. — Nullo, Gr. § 205, R, 15, (b). — Mysia, a most 
fertile region of Asia Minor, on the Hellespont, at the foot of the range of 
which Mount Gargara was the most conspicuous point, K. 

103. Jactat, see on E. 6, 73. 

104. Of breaking the clods, vs. 104, 105. — Quid dlcam, scil. de eo, qui, etc., 
(cf on E. 2, 71), 'why shall I speak of him, who,' etc., implying that he who 
pursues such a course does well, //. Quid dlcam is here used, as it is also by 
prose writers, in introducing a topic which is to be but cursorily treated be- 
fore hastening to another, //., Forb.; cf. on quid loquar, E. 6, 74. — Comminus^ 
' in close contest,' i. e. with one's own hand, or with a rake held in the hand, 
Band. Turs. 2 p. 96 sq. & Wr. The metaphor seems to be taken from a 
Koman soldier, throwing his lance and then coming to close quarters sword 
in hand, K., Con. But Voss understands comminus to mean ' immediately,' 
* without any delay ' after sowing ; cf in Lex. 11. b. — Arva insequiiur, 'pur- 
sues ' or ' follows the fields,' i. e. presses on with their cultivation without in- 
termission. 

105. Rwit, see in Lex. 11. A. — Male pinguis=^non pinguis, ' baiTen,' ' ste- 
rile,' Wr., Forb., Lade., Con. But H., Voss, and Jalin interpret these words as 
equivalent to niniium jnnguis, ' too rich,' in which case arenae would mean, 
' soil,' ' earth.' The former interpi'etation seems to me preferable, as giving 
to arenae its ordinary meaning ( Con.), and agreeing better with what follows, 
where dry ground requiring irrigation is spoken of ( Wr.); though it is true 
that male denotes an excess as well as a deficiency of the quality indicated 
by the adjective with which it is connected. 

106. He next speaks of irrigation, vs. 106 — 110. — Satis, i. e. segetibus, 'in- 
to the fields,' Serv. : but Forbiger takes it for the adverb, i, e. ' in sufiicient 
quantity.' — Inducit, ' leads ' or ' brings into.' — Sequentes, ' following,' wherever 
they are led: quia quo duxerit sequuntur, Serv. 

107. Ft quum, etc. It is not clear whether this is a continuation of the 
description, or a different picture, irrigation from a height as distinguished 
from irrigation on a level. Con. — Qimm exustus ager, etc., ' when the parched 
field, with its dying herbs, is in a glow.' Herbis, not the grass, which would 
not be growing in a corn-field, but the blades of corn. Con. 

108. Fcce at once gives the picture and expresses the unexjDCcted relief 
to the soil, Con. — Svpercilio, 'from the brow,' like the Greek dipfivg, II. — 



190 BOOK I. XOTES. 

Clicosi immitis, ' of its hilly path,' i. e. of the hill down which the course 
of the water is led. 

110. Scatehris^ 'with its bubbling streams,' properly, 'the gushing' or 
' bubbling of water.' — Temperat, ' tempers ^=.recreat, ' refreshes,' Wr. 

111. Of depasturing, which was practised v,dien the grain gi-ew too fast, 
vs. Ill — 113. — Quid, qui, i. e. quid dicam de eo, qui, cf. on v. 104. 

112. Ttnera in lierba, i. e. dum tenera est herba, Wr. 

113. Qiiura primum sulcos aequant saia, ' as soon as the crops make the 
furrows level,' 'bring them to a level,' i. e. as soon as the young corn is suf- 
ficiently grown to reach the tops of the fun-ows. Forb. supplies porcis after 
sulcos, but H. and Con. make sulcos here equivalent to porcns, ' ridges.' — 

Quique, i. e. et quid dicavi de eo, qui. Cf. on v. 104. 

114. Of draining off stagnant water, vs. 114 — 117. — Bibula deducit arena, 
' draws off by means of sand, which drinks up the moisture.' The stagnant 
water is drawn off, by a furrow or ditch, to a sandy place, where it is ab- 
sorbed, Wr. ; or, as Con. says, there may be a reference to the drains, which 
Col. 2, 2, and others recommend to have half filled with small stones or 
gravel. 

115. Incertis mensibus, ' in the uncertain,' ' unreliable months,' when the 
weather cannot be depended on, namely, in the spring and autumn ; here the 
spring, S., Con. 

116. Eadt, ' overflows.' Cf. aggeribus ruptis quum spumens amnis exiit, A. 2, 
496, H. — Tenet, ' possesses,' ' occupies.' 

117. Unde cavae lacunae, etc., whence pools are formed, which send forth 
warm and therefore noxious vapors, i, e. when acted on by the sun. — Sudani, 

are wet with,' ' drip with,' see in Lex. A. (j8). — Lacunae, 'ditches,' 'hollows.' 
TlS. But these operations will not sufiice to produce an abundant crop ; 
the fields must be kept free from birds and other mischievous things. From 
the consideration of the constant care and toil to which the husbandman is 
thus condemned, the poet is naturally led to speak of the Golden Age, when 
such toil was not. K. 

119. Versando terram, ' in turning up the earth,' ' in cultivating the ground ' ; 
like vertere in v. 2, with the further notion of frequency. Con. — Nihil is to be 
taken with nee of the preceding verse, nee nihil, ' somewhat,' ' in some de- 
gi-ee,' see Gr. § 277, R. 5, (c). — Liiprobns, 'unconscionable,' regardless of its 
own and the farmer's dues, Con., ' greedy,' and hence ' destructive.' IF. 

120. Strymoniae grues. Cranes were found in gi'eat numbers on the banks 
of the river Stryraon. Cf. on Ilyblneis, E. 1, 55. — Intuba, ' succory.' M. This 
would be injurious both directly, as a weed, and indirectly, as attracting 
geese, which are fond of it. Col. 8, 14, M., Con. Amaris Jibris would rather 
point to tlie direct effect; but the words may be merely ornamental. Con. 

121. Umbra, scil. arborum; cf. E. 10, 76, & v. 157. — Pater ijjse, i. e. Juppi- 
ter, cf. V. 163. The Silver Age, in which toil began, commenced with the 
reign of Jupiter; and hence whatever came to pass in that age is said to have 
been done by the command of Jupiter, E. Ipse, see on E. 8, 96. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 191 

122. Voluit, see in Lex. II. D. — Primus, scil. illorum qui mundum rexerunL 
Forb. — Artem, ' skill,' as applied to agriculture. 

123. 3fovit, 'moved,' i. e. caused to be moved or ploughed. H. — Curis, 
*by cares,' i. e. by anxiety respecting obtaining food. Wr. — Acuens, etc. 
The same metaphor as we use when we speak of ' sharpening ' the intellect. 
Lucretius, whom Virgil so constantly follows, frequently speaks of the heart 
as the seat of thought, K. ; see in Lex. cor, III. 2. 

124. Sua regno, i. e. mankind, over whom he ruled. H. 

125. Ante Jovem, i. e. before the reign of Jupiter, in the time of Saturn, 
the Golden Age. Ante, see Gr. § 283, IV. note 2. 

126. Ne quidem, Gr. § 191, R. 3. — Signare, scil. limite. 

127. In medium quaerebant, see in Lex. mediiis, II. B. 1. — Ipsaque iellus, 
see on E. 4, 21. 

128. Liberius, ' more freely,' than afterward, or, ' freely,' ' spontaneously,' 
H. ; cf. E. 4, 18. — Nullo jioscente, i. e. nullo cogente. Forb. 

129. In the Silver Age, under Jupiter's reign, serpents became poisonous, 
wolves rapacious, etc., these animals having before been innocuous, ff., Forb. 
— lUe addidit, ' he gave' ; see note on pater ipse, v. 121. — Malum=noxium, ff., 
Forb. — Afris^=diris, 'deadly,' 'fell'; or 'horrid.' 

130. Praedari—pontumque maveri; cf. on E. 6, 85. — Lupos. The wolves 
are here put for beasts of prey in general. Forb. — Moveri, scil. procellis, H., 
and not, as Burman says, remis, as the commencement of navigation is spoken 
of below, V. 136, H., Wr., K. 

131. Mellaque decussit foUis, \. e. shook it off from the leaves, so that they 
ceased to exude honey any longer; cf. on E. 4, 30. — Ignemque removit; Kpv^pe 
Se irvf), Hesiod. "Eoy. 50. He took away fire and concealed it, so that its use 
was unknown, until men learned to call it forth by the stroke of the flint. H. 

132. As expressive of the abundance of wine, milk and oil in the Golden 
Age, the ancients were wont to say that these things then ran in streams like 
water. — Passim and rivis are both to be construed with currentia. — EejJressit, 
' confined,' i. e. in their founts ; did not let them run any longer. Forb., K. 

133. Usus, xC'^''^' 'necessity,' 'need,' instead of men compelled by neces- 
sity. Wr., Forb. — Meditando, ' by meditating,' ' by planning.' Forb., K. But 
Heyne understands usus to mean ' practice,' ' experience,' and meditando, ' by 
exercising itself — Extunderet,'' vcn^t hammer out,' as we also say. K. 

134. Sulcis seems to mean not in but ' by furrows ' ; might get corn by 
ploughing. Con. : Forb. supplies in before sulcis. — We might have expected ut 
for e< here, and e« for «/! (which is given by some Mss.), in the next line: 
Virgil, however, has chosen to vary the expression, coupling a particular fact 
with a general, and then subjoining a second particular, as a co-ordinate 
clause with the two. Con. Wagner supposes v. 135 to have been written by 
Virgil in the margin, and afterwards to have been copied into the body of the 
poem. — Frumenti herbam., iox frumentariam herbam, i. e. frumentum, segetem; 
cf. on E. 5, 26. 

135. Silicis venis abstrusum ; cf. quaerit pars semina Jlammae abstrusa in 
venis silicis, A. 6, 6 : abstrusum, i. e. by Jupiter, v. 131. 



192 BOOK I. NOTES. 

136. Navigation then commenced, canoes for crossing rivers being made 
out of the alders that grew on their bank?, and thus suggested the experi- 
ment, K., Con. — Sensere, see in Lex. seiitio, B. 1 ; 'felt the weight of,' Con. 

137. Navita, etc.; referring to the further progress of navigation, when 
men ventured on the open sea and guided their course by the stars, to which 
they were necessarily led to give more attention. They therefore counted 
them, divided them into constellations, and gave thetn names, such as the 
following. K. — Stellis numeros et nomina ftcit, ' nnmbered the stars' (i. e. 
composing the different constellations, Jacobs, Wr.), ' and gave tbem their 
names.' Facere noinen alicui is a phrase=«orrten dare alicui, to which nuvieros 
is added here by a kind of zeugma. Con. With the thought here expressed 
compare, if the parallel may be allowed, Psalm 147, 4, " He telleth the num- 
ber of the stars; he calleth them all by their names." Con. 

138. This line is of course mainly in apposition to nomina, but it may 
have also a reference to numeros, as it is itself a sort of enumeration. Con. — 
Pleiadas. The Pleiads are seven stars in the neck of Taurus, called also 
Verfjiliae, because their rising, (April 22d to May 10th), was followed by 
spring, re r, and fair weather. Their setting, (Oct. 20th to Nov. 11th), was 
followed by winter. They were thus of great importance to the mariners, as 
they marked the beginning and the end of the sailing season; and from this 
circumstance, as Servius says, their name was derived, a-d tov nXfetv, ' from 
sailing.' Forb., Br. — Hyadas. These were seven stars in the head of Taurus, 
whose rising, (May 7th to 12th), was generally attended with rainy weather; 
hence their name, from vtiv, 'to rain.' Forb. — Claram, ' bright,' ' shining,' 
cf. V. 5; unless, perhaps, Virgil had in view the verse of Hesiod, n?.r]la6as 6' 
'YdSug Tf, y?.vTT]v Tf Av^dovos "AoKTov. H. — Lycaonis Arctan, ' Bear of Lycaon,' 
1. e. ' daughter of Lycaon,' see on E. 6, 74, Scyllam Nisi. Arctos is here the 
Great Bear, Helice or Callisto: see CalUsto in Lex. Wr., Forb. 

139. Hunting and fowling were then invented. K. Cerda quotes Soph. 
Ant. 343, sq., where man is said to show his sagacity by snaring beasts, birds 
and fishes. Con. Cf. also E. 5, 60. — Fallere, scil. aves, comprised in or to be 
implied from /eras. H. 

140. Canibus chxumdare saltus; cf. E. 10, 57, and see on E. 6, 56. 

141. Fishing also was invented. — Funda. This was a funnel-shaped net, 
having pieces of lead at the bottom to sink it. The net was thrown swiftly 
into the water; hence the force of rej'iera/, ' lashes.' Voss, Forb. Our phrase 

' whip the stream,' is similar. Br. 

142. Alta petens, ' seeking the depths,' i. e. throwing his casting-net into 
the deepest part of the river, Voss, Wch., John, K., Lade., Con. But H., Wr. 
and Forb. place a semicolon after amnem, and connect alia peiens with pelago 
etc., because they find no other instance in which alta or alhim peter e is used 
in speaking of a river. Heyne renders the passage ' and another, seeking the 
depths,' i. e. ' venturing out on the ocean, on the sea itself draws,' etc., thus 
making que connect the two sentences alius funda verberat amnem and alius 
alia peiens irahit Una; but this is objectionable, because when joining two 
sentences the copulative is never, in Virgil, found so far forward as the third 



BOOK I. NOTES. 193 

word of the second sentence. Wagner, who at first adopted the interpreta- 
tion of Voss, etc. above given, makes que to connect, not the two sentences, 
but only the words alta petens and pelago, and regards pdagoque as explana- 
tory of alta jjefens, supplying trahit after petens ; thus, alta petens traliit et 
pelago trahit. Conington remarks, in siipport of the explanation which we 
have adopted, that the words alia j^etere are also applied to shooting into the 
air, A. 5, 508, where the structure of the line is the same as here, and that 
alius is not an uncommon epithet of a river; see G. 4, 333. — Pelago^ scil. in, 
'on the sea,' Gr. § 254, R. 3. — Lina, 'drag-nets.' Forb., Lade., Con. 

143. Turn ferri rigor, scil. venit {=provenit, inventus est, H. ; cf. v. 54), 
which is to be supplied from v. 145. Forb. Ferri rigor, for rigidum ferrum, 
alluding to the use of hardened iron in the manufacture of instruments, 
especially the axe. //. Lucretius, 1, 493, has auri rigorem. — Argutae, ' shrill.' 
— Serrae. The invention of the saw was attributed by some to Daedalus, 
(Plin. 7, 56), by others to Perdix, his nephew, (Ov. M. 8, 244), where the hint 
is said to have been taken from the back-bone of a fish. Con. 

144. Jacob Bryant thought this verse spurious, and Heyne is inclined to 
the same opinion, but Wi*. and Forb. have no doubt of its genuineness; and 
there is little force in the objection urged, that the cleaving of wood was not 
carried on in the Golden Age, for the poet is not speaking of that time. — 
Priini, scil. homines, ' the first men,' i. e. ' men at fii-st,' those who first en- 
gaged in this employment. Lade. 

145. Venere; cf. on v. 143. — Artes, 'trades,' 'handicrafts.' — Omnia, Gr. 
4 205, R. 7, (2). 

146. Improkis, 'exacting,' or ' excessive,' Con.=pervicax, perstans, ^ stub- 
born,' 'persevering,' IT., Forb. — Duris urgens in rebus egestas. Cf. a -ntvia, 
Aio^avTZ, n6va t-hj rf;^voj iyfipei, Theocr. 21, 1. 

147. Prima Ceres, etc. The connection of this sentence with what pre- 
cedes is as follows : Before the time of Jupiter the fields were not cultivated, 
V. 125, but under his reign various arts and trades were discovered, and, 
especially, Ceres taught men agricultm-e. Wr. Prima, ' first.' The invention 
of agriculture was universally ascribed to this goddess. — Ferro, i. e. vomere, 
rastro, ligone, etc. — Mortales, Gr. § 324, 2. 

148. Jnstitult, 'taught.' M. — Glaiules atque arbuta silvae, 'the nuts and 
wild-straAvberries of the wood,' i. e. of the woods. Heyne makes silvae the 
nominative, and glandes ^nd arbuta the accusative, with (??(oac^ understood; 
but the other interpretation, approved by Wtmd., Forb. and K., is preferable, 
though involving, as PFr. observes, a less poetic structure of the sentence. — 
Sacrae; so called either because of the groves dedicated to the gods, Wr., 
or on account of the Dryads, cf. on E. 5, 59, Forb. 

149. Dodona, ' Dodona,' famous for its groves of oak, poetically for querce- 
iis, ' the oak-woods.' Wr., Forb. 

150. Labor, ' trouble,' plagues.' Cf. on v. 79.— i/ato, i. e. exitiosa, ' de- 
structive.' Foi'b. 

151. Esset, h-om edo, ^QQ Gr. \ \^l.—Robigo, 'blight,' 'mildew.' The Ro- 
mans worshipped a deity named Rohigns or Roblqo, in order to avert this 

17 



194 BOOK I. AZOTES. 

blight. K. — Segnis, ' unproductive,' ' unfruitful.' Seru., H., Wr. ; as it were 
the symbol of inactivitj^, growing up where the field is left to itself. Con. 
Cf. on V. 72. — Horreret. This is very descriptive of the thistle, armed aU 
over with strong prickles. K., M. 

152. Subii, ' comes up,' ' springs up ' in its stead. — Silva, cf. on v. 76. 

153. La2?paeque tribulique, Gr. ^ 323, 2, (2). Tribuli. The tribulus is iden- 
tified by Linnaeus with the tribulus terrestris, or ' caltrops,' which in the south 
of Europe is so troublesome to cattle by its sharp thorns wounding their feet, 
Daubeny. — Nlteniia, see in Lex. niteo^ 11. c. — Culta, see cultus, 1, b. under colo 
in Lex. 

154. Cf. E. 5, 37, and the notes there. 

155. Quod nisi, 'and if not,' 'if then not,' Gr. § 206, (14): cf. E. 9, 14; 
quod being the accusative, and equivalent to propter quod, guamobrem. — 
Assiduis foi assidue, Gr. § 205, R. 15, (a). — Herbam, cf. on v. 69. — Insecta^ 
bere . . . terrebis . . . premes, for insectatn^ fueris, etc. H., Forb. 

157. Falce, cf. on E. 4, 40. — Premes, see in Lex. 1. 10, b, (/?). — Unibram, * the 
shade,' for arbores umbrantes, ' the trees which make the shade.' — Vocaveris, 
see under voco, I. A. in Lex. Vows were paid to Juppiter Pluvius, TibuU. 1, 
7, 26 

158. Acervvm, cf. v. 185. 

159. Concvssaque, etc., i. e. you will be obliged to live upon acorns. 

160. Of agricultural implements, vs. 160 — 175. — Dicendum, scil. est mihi, 
Gr. § 162, 15, R. b.—Duris, see in Lex. II. b. 

161. Quis, Gr. § 136, R. 2.— Quis sine, Gr. § 279, 10, (f).—Potuere for pos~ 
sunt, cf. on v. 49. 

162. Vomis et inf.exi prhnum, etc., ' first the ploughshare,' etc. Primum 
is often thus placed at the beginning of an enumeration, without turn or 
deinde following, Wr. Cf. G. 3, 384. — Injlexi grave robur aratri, 'the pon- 
derous strength of the curved plough,' for the heavy and strong curved 
plough. Cf., aeternngue ferri robora, A. 7, 609: fruges robore quum saxi 
frnnguntur. Lucr. 1, 881: ei valldi silices nc duri robora fer7H, id. 2, 449: ^ars 
diri portant grave robur aratri, Val. Fl. 7, 555. H., Forb., Con. But Freund 
and Klotz take robur to denote the material; thus, 'the heavy oak of the 
curved plough,' i. e. the heavy, oaken, curved plough. 

163. Tarda for tarde, Gr. § 205, R. 15, (a). — Eleusinae matris. Ceres was 
chiefiy worshipped at Eleusis. Agriculture and such things as pertain to it 
were sacred to her. The name mater was sometimes given to goddesses, 
as pater, genitor to gods, as a term of honor. Wr. See in Lex. I. B. — Plaus- 
tra. These cai-ts had either two or three wheels, which were solid, having 
no spokes ; cf. G. 2, 444. Forb. 

164. Iniquo jyondere, ' of immoderate Aveight,' ' too heavy,' i. e. difficult to 
wield; see inlquus, I. B. in Lex. — Rastri, cf. on E. 4, 40. 

165. Virgea vilisque supelkx, 'the osier and cheap furniture,' i. e. the 
cheap osier furniture. Virgea supellex seems to include baskets, etc. as well 
as the hurdle and the fan. H., Con. Vilis, because the baskets, etc. made 
of osier and other plants were of little value as compared with the preceding 



BOOK I. XOTES. 195 

implements. K. — Celei. Ceres tauglit Triptolemus agriculture, and Celeus, 
his father, learned from the same goddess how to weave baskets, etc. Wr. 

166. Crates, cf v. 95. — Mystica vannus, see in Lex. under vannus. 

167. Omnia quae, etc. Cf. tGjv irpdidev fxeXirriv ix^if^ev, oiKrjia Qiadai, Hesiod. 
"Epy. 457. — Anie, scil. quam usus erit, ' before they shall be needed,' ' before- 
hand.' Wi\ — Memor, ' with mindful care,' ' providently.' This seems to 
be a translation of fieiivnixivoi in Hesiod's "Eoy. 422. E., Con. — Provisa repones 
for ^7'0vzc7ei/s, according to Heyne ; but it seems better, with Forb., to give 
each word its proper force and mean in g,=pror?(ie&2s et repones. 

168. Manet, see in Lex. IL — Divini ruris, ' divine,' either as the abode 
of the rural deities, according to common belief, Forb., or as pleasing to 
them. Wr. Heyne gives it the meaning of praeclarus, ' excellent,' etc. 

169. The poet now treats of the different parts of the plough. — Continue, 
'forthwith,' ' at once,' ' in the beginning,' relating back to the time of taking 
the first step towards the consti-uction of the plough. H., Wr., Forb. — In di- 
ms, etc. The meaning is that the young elm, while yet in the woods, is bent 
and made to grow in the required shape. H., Con. — Domatur in, etc. ' is sub- 
dued into,' i. e. is bent and made to grow in the shape of, etc. 

170. Burim, ' the plough-beam.' This was a curved piece of wood, to the 
lower part of which the pole, ( lemo), the mould-boards, (aures), and the 
share-head or share-beam, (de-ntalia), were fastened. H. It therefore form- 
ed the body of the plough, which from its shape is tei-med by Lucretius 
curvum, as here. K. Sometimes the temo was a continuation of and formed 
one piece with the buris. H., Forb. 

171. Euic, scil. buri. — Ab stirpe, ' at the lower part of the trunk,' ' at its 
base.' H. — Temo, 'the pole.' The temo was a part of the plough, as well as 
of a cart or carriage. The yoke was fastened to the end of it, and by means 
of it the oxen drew. K. 

172. Binae aures (et) duplici dentalia dorso. Aures, 'the mould-boards,' 
served to widen the furrow and throw the earth up higher. Br. The deniale, 
'the share-beam' or 'share-head,' was a piece of wood fastened horizontally 
on the lower end of the buris, and to which the share was fitted. Wr., Forb., 
K. It is not certain whether it was one solid piece of timber, with a space to 
admit the end of the buris, or two pieces, fastened one on each side of the 
iw/-2s, and running to a point. K.: the former seems the more probable, and 
the duplici dm^so may only allude to the position of the deniale, as on each 
side of the buris, and its supnorting the two aures. Wr., K. Dorso, Gr. 
§ 211, E. 6. The plural dentalia is used by this poet in speaking of one 
plough, but it is probably nothing more than a usual poetic license. Con. 
Heyne takes dentale for the plough-share itself. Accoi'ding to Daubeny, the 
dentale is a share of wood, made double by a share of iron placed over it, so 
as to realize the duplex dorsum. Con. 

173. Ante; cf. on v. 167. — Jugo. The yoke was a piece of wood, straight 
in the middle and curved at both ends, which was attached to the end of the 
pole of the plough or cart, and went over the necks of the oxen, which drew 
b}' means of it. K. — Levis, ' light,' and therefore suitable for making yokes. 



196 BOOK I. NOTES. 

Wr. — Faffus slivaque^ soil, caeditur^ i. e. stlva fagina crteditur' cf. on E. 2, 8, 
and 0, ubi campi Sperclieosque^ i. e. campi BpercJtei, G. 2, 486. The beeclien 
plough handle is said to be cut, instead of the beech tree from which the 
handle is made. Wr. Those commentators who are unwilling to admit here 
the use of the hendiadys find much difficulty with this passage, as, with the 
punctuation given in the text, the poet seems to speak of cutting three dif- 
ferent things, the linden tree for a yoke, beech for some purpose not named, 
and a plough handle, of what wood he does not say. Or, if with Jahn, 
Euaeus, Lade, and Keightley, we punctuate as follows : caeditur et tilia ante 
jugo levis altaque fagus., stivaque, quae, etc., we must understand that two 
kinds of wood are named for the yoke, and none for the plough handle. To 
avoid these difficulties Martyn, who is followed by Wch., Voss and Forb., 
conjectures stivae for stivaque, which would give the same sense as Wagner's 
explanation ; ' the linden tree is cut for the yoke and the beech for the plough 
handle.' This reading, however, lacks the authority of any m.anuscript. 

174. Stiva, ' the plough handle.' The stiva passed through the buris, and 
descended and was fastened into the dtrdale. Forb. It had, near the upper 
end, a cross-piece named manicida, by which the ploughman held and di- 
rected the plough. K. — Q,uae currus a tergo, etc., ' to turn the bottom of the 
plough from behind.' He terms the plough currus^ as if it were a species of 
carriage, and the word is naturally enougli applied to a plough in motion, as 
in Catull. 64, 9, of a ship. Con. Servius says, Currus dixit projJter morem 
provinciae suae in qua araira habent rotas quibus juvantar. Wagner, who sa}'^ 
that wheel-ploughs were not then in use among the Komans, reads cursus for 
currus, on the authority of two manuscripts. 

175. When the wood for making the plough had been cut, it was to be 
hung up where the smoke would search (i. e. dry) and test it before it was 
used. K., Con. So in Hesiod's "Epy. 45, 629, the rudder is to be hung in the 
smoke. II., Con. — Robora, ' the wood.' 

176. There are many precepts of husbandry to be learnt — for instance, 
the thi-eshing-floor should be made thoroughly smooth and hard that it may 
not gape, and leave room first for weeds and then for animals of all kinds. 
Con. — Tibi. Maecenas is addressed throughout as the ideal reader, as Mem- 
mi us by Lucretius. Con. 

177. Ni refugis, ' if you do not decline ' to hear them. — Curas, ' cares,' 
1. e. the work which the husbandman must do. Wr. 

178. Area. The threshing-floor was an elevated spot in the field, where 
the wind would have free access. It was generally circular in form and 
raised a little in the centre, so that the rain might not lie on it. It was made 
solid and level with rammers or a rolling-stone, in order that it might not 
crack and so give harbor to mice, ants, or any other vermin, and that grass 
might not grow on it. Sometimes the area was covered, but generally it was 
hi the open air. H., K. — Cum pnmis=in primis, Wr., 'first.' 

179. Vertenda manu, ' to be turned with the hand,' i. e. ' to be worked up 
with the hand,' Forb.— Creta=argiUa, ' potters' earth,' cf. Var. R. R. I. 51, 



BOOK I. NOTES. 197 

Forh. There is here, as Servius observes, a Jiysteron proteron, as the earth 
must first be worked up, then made solid, and afterwards levelled. 

180. The reason why it is to be made thus solid is, that grass may not 
grow in it, and that it may not crack, K.—Pulvere victa, ' overcome by the 
dust,' i. e. by the heat of summer that makes dust, K.; pulvere for siccitate, 
Philarg., the effect for the cause, Con. 

181. Tuvi, i. e. et turn, ' and then,' i. e. if the area cracks, Wr., K. — IllU' 
dant, 'mock' the labor of the husbandman, i. e. 'annoy,' 'do mischief,' Forb. 
— Pestes, i. e. noxious little animals and other vermin, called ' pests,' as injur- 
ing the floor and annoying the husbandman, Con. — Exiguus mus, ' the little 
mouse ' ; exiguus being epitheton ornans, H. Quintilian justly observes that 
not only this epithet, but the ending of the verse with one syllable, beauti- 
fully expresses the littleness of the animal. If. 

182. Posuit . . .fecit, ' often builds ' . . . ' makes,' cf. on v. 49. 

183. Oculis cajyii talpae, ' the moles injured in their eyes,' i. e. ' the blind ' 
or ' purblind moles,' often so called, because their eyes are very smaU; see in 
Lex. cajjio, II. 2. Talpae, see Gr. § 42, 2. 

184. Bufo. This word is said not to occur anywhere else in the classics, 
Foi'b. — Quae j^luninaz^gualia multa, oJa rt no\Xd, H., ' such as in great num- 
bers,' for ' great numbers of which,' Gr. § 206, 7, (a) & {b). 

185. Monstra, used of ugly and hateful creatures, without reference to 
their size, as in G. 3, 152, of the gadfly, Forb., Con. — Farris, 'of corn,' cf. on 
V. 73. 

186. Jnopi senectae, i. e. Idemi, the ant, (which was supposed to live but 
one year), being spoken of in language appropriate to human beings, Forb., 
K., Con. — Metuens, (with dat.) 'being anxious about'; see in Lex. metuo, IL 
(tT). It is well known that the ancients were in error about the habits of the 
ant, which has no storehouses, and remains torpid during the greater part 
of the winter, Con. 

187. Signs of a good or bad harvest, vs. 187 — 192. — Niix, ' the almond- 
tree,' Serv., Wr., Forb.; see in Lex. This is one of the earliest trees in 
flower, K. Martyn and Keightley understand nux of the walnut.' — Plurima, 
agreeing with nux, 'very abundant,' (cf. on. E. 7, 60)=zplurimu7n, qualifying 
induet, 'shall clothe itself abundantly,' Wr., Forb.; see Gr. § 205, K. 15, (a). 

188. Induei se in forem, ' shall clothe itself with flowers ' ; for induet se 
jiove or sibi fiorem. — Ramos curvabil olentes, ' shall bend its fragrant boughs,' 
=' its curved boughs shall be fragrant,' (i, e. mullo flore), as branches are 
weighed down by fruit, not by blossoms, Wr. 

189. Si superant fetus, ' if the young fruit are abundant,' i. e. if a great 
number of the blossoms set, as the gardeners call it, K. 

190. Venlet, scil. agricoKs, Wch. 

191. Si luxuria fullorum exuberat umbra, i. e. si abundat umbra, effecta per 
luxuriam foliorum, Forb., Voss, Wch. ; but Burm. and H. take umbra for vm- 
hrosa arbor. 

192. Nequicquam qualifies teret. — Pingues palea, Gr. § 250, 2, (1). — Teret 
area culmos, for admi terentur in area, H. 

17"* 



198 BOOK I. NOTES. 

193. Of steeping and selecting seeds, vs. 193 — 203. — Semina. It seems 
from siliquis fallacibus^ in v. 195, that Virgil is speaking of leguminous plants, 
though the seeds of other plants were prepared in a similar manner; as Avheat, 
Plin. 18, 73; the almond, Pallad. 2, 15, § 7, H. — Medicare^ 'to steep.' "The 
old husbandmen used to macerate the seed in nitrum, (alkaline ley), and 
amurca, (the lees of oil), before sowing, as Virgil recommends," Daubeny. 

194. Niiro. The nitrum oi the ancients was not our nitre; it was a min- 
eral alkali, carbonate of soda, and was, therefore, used in washing, K. — 
Prius, 'first,' i.e., before sowing. — Amurca^ andpyt], 'olive-lees,' a watery- 
fluid, of a dark color, contained in the olive and of greater specific gravity 
than the oil, K. 

195. Two reasons are given for steeping the seeds : that the fruit may be 
larger, and that it may be more easily cooked, vs. 195, 196, K. — Siliquis fal- 
Incibus, * in the deceptive pods.' The pods are called ' deceptive,' because 
they are often of large size when containing no fruit, Serv., H. Cf. vanis aris- 
Us, V. 226. For the case of^ siliquis, see Gr. § 226. 

196. Properata, scil. semina, maderent=zsemina properato or propere made- 
rent. Maderent, ' be boiled,' see in Lex. madeo, I. B. 2. — This line was sup- 
posed by most of the old interpreters to refer to what follows, as if Virgil had 
meant to say that even slightly boiling seeds, as well as steeping them before 
sowing, was not sure to be eff'ectual. The present punctuation, which was 
introduced by Catrou, has been generally followed since He^'-ne's 2d edition, 
and is supported by two of the writers in the Geoponics, Didymus, 2, 35, and 
Democritus, 2, 41, as well as by Palladius, 12, 1, who recommends the steep- 
ing of beans that they may boil more easily, Con. 

197. The largest seeds must be selected every year, vs. 197 — 203. " A se- 
lection should be made for sov^^ing of the finest and most healthy seeds ; for 
although it does not always follow that plump seed will produce plump grain, 
yet the latter cannot be obtained from such seed as is poor and shrivelled; 
as Virgil indeed has remarked in G. 1, 197." I)aid)eny. — Vidi. In passhig to 
a new subject the poet here repeats the verb (v. 193), instead of employing a 
conjunction, Forb. — Spectata, ' examined,' i. e. whilst being selected, Wr. 

198. Vis humana,=^ho7ninii7n opera, 'the labor of man,' for homines, Forb. 

199. Maxima quaeque, scil. semina. — Sic, omnia fatis, etc. From this slight 
matter the poet rises into a general reflection upon the tendency of all things 
to decay, unless constant care is bestowed upon their preservation, H., K. 

200. Ruere . . . referri=solent ruere, etc. See Gr. § 209, E. 5, and note 7. — 
Retro referri. — Retro is often thus used pleonastically with verbs beginning 
with re, Wr. The image is derived from a boat rowed against the stream: 
v/hen the motion of the oars ceases, the boat is borne downward \)j the cm- 
rent, Wr. The fates answer to the current, the course of nature to the bark, 
and human labor to the rower. Con. 

201. Adverso jlumine, ' the stream opposing,' i. e. ' up stream,' ' against the 
stream.' 

202. Remigils suhi(jit, ' drives ' or ' urges up by oars,' ' rows up.' 



BOOK I. NOTES. 199 

203. Aiqite is here equivalent to stathn, according to Gellius and Servius ; 
but it is better to give it its usual signification as a copulative particle, and to 
suppose an ellipsis of retro sublapsus refertur : thus, Non aliter quam (is retro 
suUapsus refertur) qui, etc. H. Ilium would then be the lemhum, which is 
distinguished from the rower, Wch., Con. Wagner supplies retro sablapsiis 
refertur befoi-e atgtie, and makes the whole into an apodosis; but he quotes 
no similar instance. Con. The explanation would then be, non aliter quam 
{is) qui, etc. . . . si brachia Jm^te remisit {retro sublapsus refertur) atque alveus 
rapit ilium, etc.: ilium referring to the rower. — In pi^aeceps, 'headlong.' — 
Prono amni, ' along the descending stream,' ' down the stream,' Gr. § 255, 2. — 
Alveus, ' the channel,' hence the ' current.' 

204. Of the times when the various labors are to be performed, vs. 204 — 
310. The husbandman must attend to the rising and setting of the constella- 
tions as much as the sailor, vs. 204 — 207, H., K. — Arcturi, cf. on v. 67. 

205. Ilaedorum. The Kids are two stars in the arm of Auriga. This con- 
stellation, Pliny says, rises on the 25th of April and 27th to 29th September, 
and brings stormy weather, K., Forh. — Servandi, i. e. observandi, cf. on E. 3, 
75. — Anyuis, ' the Dragon,' situated between the Great and Little Bear, near 
the north pole, K. 

206. Patriam, i. e. Italiom ; returning from the Black Sea through the 
Hellespont, into the Aegaean Sea, B. — Veciis, ' carried,' i. e. ' being carried,' 
'sailing,' Gr. § 274, E. 3, (a). 

207. Pontus, scil. Euxinus. This sea was very stormy, especially in the 
spring and autumn, K. — Fauces Abydi, ' the strait of Abydos,' i. e. the Hel- 
lespont, Abydos being a city 6f Asia on the shore of the Hellespont. — Tentan- 
tur, ' are tried,' ' are braved.' 

208. The times of sowing the various kinds of seeds, vs. 208 — 230. — Libra, 
' the Balance,' between the constellations of the Scorpion and the Virgin; 
cf. on V. 33. Libra is here put for ' the sun in Libra,' Fvib. — Die, Gr. § 90, 2. 
— Somni, 'night,' see in Lex. H. A. — Pares haras. It was only at the equi- 
noxes that the hours of day and night were equal to each othar, Gr. § 326, 1. 
He refers here to the autumnal equinox. 

209. Medium luci atque umbris dividit orbem, ' divides the world in the 
midst among light and shade,' i. e. ' divides the world equally between day 
and night.' 

210. Exercete tauros, i. e. in ploughing the land for seed. Tauros, i. q. 
hoves, K. 

211. Usque sub extremum bruviae intractabilis ivibrem, Gr. § 235, R. 9, ' until 
toward the last I'ain of rough winter,' for extremae-brumae, 'until almost to 
the time of the rain of rough v^inter, which season (hruma) is at the end of the 
year.' Cf. on E. 9, 46, K, Wr. 

212. Cereale papaver, so called because Ceres was often represented as 
holding poppies in her hands, Wr. — Segeiem, proleptic; cf. on v. 320. 

213. Tempus humo tegerez=tegere humo (est) tempesiivum, Gr. § 275, HI. 
R. 1, N. 1. In this and similar passages the infinitive, as Forb. remarks, is 
not used for the gerund, but stands as the subject of the sentence, and the 



200 



BOOK I. NOTES. 



noun as the predicate, tlie verb esse being a mere copula. But the hifinitive 
might also be regarded as used here gerundially, i. e. for a noun in the geni- 
tive, Cf»i. ; see Gr. § 270, R. 1 ; 275, III. R. l.—Jamdudum, Gr. § 191, R. 6.— 
Incumbere, 'to lean upon'; cf. E. 3, 42. 

214. Sicca tellure, Gr. § 257. — Pendent, ' hang in the air,' i. e. do not yet 
come down in rain. 

215. Beans, lucern and millet are to be sown in the spring. The poet is 
speaking of the custom in the northern part of Italy, where he lived. In the 
warmer parts of Italy these things were sown in the autumn, Forb, 

216. Millo venit annua cura, poetically for milium quotannis seritur, Forb. 
In this respect it differed from the lucern, which lasted ten years in the 
ground, if. 

217. Vere . . . guum, etc., i. e. in the beginning of spring, when the sun 
enters Taurus, H., which, according to Columella, was about the 17th of 
April. — Auratis cornibus, refeiTing to the bright stars in the head of Taurus. 
Whether these words are meant to be taken descriptively with iaurus, or in- 
strumeutally with ajjerit, is not clear. The former is maintained by Serv., 
who observes that the Bull rises with his back, not with his horns, and seems 
more reasonable, as there would be no natural propriety in the image of a 
bull using his horns to open a gate. Con. Forbiger says, the Bull is repre- 
sented as, with head lowered and threatening horns, forcing a passage for 
himself through the heavens, and so opening the year. — Aperit annum, be- 
cause at this season of the year the earth being as it were unclosed and open- 
ed, brings forth new flowers and herbage. H., Wr. There is an allusion here 
to a derivation of the name of the month, Aprilis, Forb., K. 

218. Adverso astro, i. e. Tauro. The Bull, from his position on the sphei-e, 
seems to direct his horns against the Dog. H. Astro is the dative. Some 
manuscripts have averso, which would be the ablative. — Occidit, 'sets,' i. e. 
heliacally, the sun approaching so near as by its superior splendor to render 
the star invisible. The Dog star sets, properly speaking, in the latter part 
of April, some days after the rising of Taurus, Forb. 

219. At si, etc. But if you till j'our gi-ound with a view to wheat and 
spelt your sowing should be later, K. — Robiista, ' hard}',' H. 

220. Exercebis, cf. on v. 99. — Solis aristis, 'bearded grain alone,' i. e. 
wheat or spelt, as opposed to the beans, etc., of the preceding verses. Forb., 
K. — Insiabis, ' bestow labor upon,' ' pursue the cultivation of.' 

221. Ante, to be taken with quam and quamque, v. 223. — Atlantides, the 
Pleiads: see under Atlas in Lex., and cf. on v. 138. 

222. Gnosin, from Gnosos, the capital of Crete. Cf. Ariadne in Lex. — 
Ardeniis. Tlie crown is styled ardens ov ' burning,' on account of the bright- 
ness of the stars composing it, one of which is of the second magnitude. K. 
— Decedat, ' set.' Virgil follows Democritus and Ptolemy in placing the set- 
ting of the Crown between Nov. 15 and Dec. 19. It would appear however 
that this was about the time of the rising of this constellation. //., Forb. — 
Stella for sidus. 

223. Debita, ' due ' i. e. which the earth has a riolit to demand. Forb. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 201 

224. Invitae. The earth is represented as unwilling to receive the seed 
before the proper time for sowing, as if conscious that she would not in that 
case be able to meet the expectations of the husbandman. Forb. — Spem anni, 
* the hope of the year,' i. e. the seed from which the supply of corn for the 
year is expected. Forb. 

225. Ifaiae, i. e. of the Pleiads, of which Maia was one. H. 

226. Some manuscripts have avenis for arisiis, which is supported by the 
belief spoken of on E. 5, 37, but the weight of authority is in favor of the 
reading in the text. 

227. Si vero, etc. If you cultivate vetches, etc., begin when Bootes sets. — 
Vilem, ' cheap,' on account of its abundance. H. 

228. Felusiacae. Pelusium was a city of Egypt, in which country lentils 
were abundant and of excellent quality: cf. on Hyblaeis, E. 1, 55, Wr. 

229. MiUet=dahit, Forb. — Bootes, This is a northern constellation near 
the tail of the Great Bear. Its largest star, Ai-cturus, sets on the " 29th day 
of October, according to Columella, Wr. 

231. The poet, from the consideration of the uses of the celestial signs in 
directing the labors of the husbandman, is led to a splendid description of the 
zodiac and other parts of the mundane system, K., Con., vs. 231 — 258. — 
Idcirco, 'therefore,' ' for this very reason,' viz. that the seasons for particular 
operations should be clearly marked, Br. — Certis partibus. The twelve di- 
visions of the zodiac are referred to. — Orbem, scil. annuum, *his yearly circle,' 
' annual circuit ' or ' course.' 

232. Per, 'through,' 'along through.'— Duodena=duodecim; cf. on E. 8, 73. 
— Astra mundi, ' constellations of the heavens,' i. e. signs of the zodiac. — 
Begit, ' directs.' 

233. Zonae. By zones are here meant those parts of the heavens which 
answer to the zones of the earth. Wr. The description of the zones is imi- 
tated from a passage in the Hermes of Eratosthenes, jS, Con. According to 
the ancient geographers 24 degrees on each side of the equator formed the 
Torrid zones ; 30 degrees on each side of the Torrid, i. e. from 24 to 54 degrees, 
the Temperate zones ; and 36 degrees, 1. e. from 54 degrees to the pole, the 
Frigid zones. 

234. Rubens. The Torrid zone is called rubens, and the Frigid caeridea, 
probably on account of the natural color of fire and ice: Voss thinks these 
terms may be used with reference to the rubrum et caeruleum pigmenttim by 
which these zones were respectively indicated in the ancient geographical 
charts. Forb., Br. — Ab igni is a translation of iK nvpdg in Eratosthenes, Co7i. ; 
Gr. § 247, K. 1, and see ab, C. 1, in Lex. 

235. Qttam circum, ' around which,' but not next to it, as he is speaking 
of the Frigid zones. — Fxtremae, scil. zonae. — TraJiuntur, 'are drawn out,' 
i. e. 'stretch,' 'extend.' H., Forb. 

236. Concretae refers properly only to glacie; imbribus being added by 
zeugma, H., Wr. — Atris. The rains are so called because they proceed from 
dark clouds. Wr., Forb. 



202 BOOK I. NOTES. 

237. Medlamque, soil, zonam, i. e. torridam. — Duae, scil. zonae, i. e. tevipe- 
ratae. The ancients supposed only the Temperate zones to be habitable; 
consequently, as discovery advanced, the area occupied by those zones was 
extended, so that instead of 30 degrees, (from 24 to 54 degrees), the space 
originally allotted to them, they were made to extend to 6G degrees. 2v., Con. 
— Mortalibus aegris, ' to wretched men,' ' poor mortals,' hn'Adiai (jpordiaiv, 
Horn. Od. 11, 19, H. 

238. Via, i. e. the ecliptic or sun's course. — Per ambas=inter ambas, ' be- 
tween both,' as the sun does not enter the temperate zones. H., Forb. Per is 
often thus used in speaking of that which extends between two other ob- 
jects: so, per duas Arctos, v. 245, Wr., Forb. 

239. OUiquus qtia, etc. ' where the series of signs (of the zodiac) might re- 
volve obliquely.' Obliquus, Gr. § 205, E. 15, (a). The zodiac is called oW«(2'mws 
because of the obliquity of the ecliptic, or sun's path, along which the signs 
of the zodiac are disposed, and which intersects the equator at an angle of 
about 23 degrees and 28 minutes. 

240. He goes on to describe the Poles, North and South, speaking of the 
one as elevated and therefore visible, the other as depressed and invisible. 
Con. — Mundus=^caelnm, cf. on v. 232. H. — Scyiliiani Ehijjaeasque arces, are 
here made to stand for the northernmost point, not only of earth, but of the 
mundane system, as Libya for the southernmost. Con. Arces, ' heights,' 
' mountains ' ; see arx, 2 in Lex. 

241. Previiiur, ' sinks down,' see premo, 9 in Lex. — Libyae, ' of Africa.' 

242. Hie vertex, ' this pole,' i. e. the northern. — Sublimis, ' elevated,' and 
therefore visible. H., K. — Illum,\. e. the southern pole. 

243. Sub 2)edibus is to be connected with vldet, as the infernal regions were 
supposed to be in the centre of the earth; the feet being those of Styx and 
the Manes ; but videt of course is not to be pressed as if it were meant that 
the south pole were actually visible from the shades. Voss, Jdlin, Con. ; others, 
as Zf., Wr., Forb., supply nos^jv's after />ef/^6^fs, 'the pole under our feet.' — 
Styx, for Orcus itself, see in Lex. IL — Profundi, an epithet of the Manes. Cf. 
3fanes imi, A. 4, 387. 

244. This passage is imitated from Arat. Phaen. 45, //. — Hie, i. e. at the 
north pole. — Flexu sinuoso elabliur, ' with sinuous winding glides away,' 'es- 
capes.' Elabitur denotes that the Dragon, which winds between, also ex- 
tends beyond the two Bears, {Helice and Cynosura), Forb., Wr. 

245. Circum and pergue are both to be taken with Arctos, Wr., Forb. 
Per, see on v. 238. — In morem Jluminis, i. e. imitating the winding course of a 
river, Fo7^b. ; see in Lex. 7nos, II. A. 

246. A7-ctos, Gr. § 324, 17. — Oceani aequore for Oceano; see in Lex. under 
aequor, 2. — Metuentes tingi; cf. "ApKToi Kvavhu TzefpvP.ayjuivai ^oKeavdio, Arat. 
Phaen. 45. The poets frequently speak of stars which set, and of the sun, as 
descending into the sea, Wr. The Bears, which do not set, are here repre- 
sented as restrained by fear from so doing. //. 

247. Illic, i.e. at the south pole. — Ut perMbent, 'as they say'; for the 
southern ]iemiP2:)here was unknown to the ancients. — Intempesia silet nox, 'the 



BOOK I. KOTES. 203 

dead of night keeps silence.'— ^w^ etc., i. e. either perpetual night, or day 
there when it is night -with us, and the opposite. Forb. 

248. Semper, etc., 'and the. darkness is always rendered dense by the 
overspread ' or ' enshrouding night.' This is little more than a repetition of 
the preceding verse. K. 

249. Hedit, scil. ad eos. Redire, reducere, recurrere, referre, and other 
words of the sort, are constantly used of the recurring order of nature. TFc/i., 
Con. — Aurora, ' Aurora,' and hence also the sun, which is always accom- 
panied by Aurora. Forb. 

250. Primus, Gr. § 205, R. 15, («). — Oriens, 'the East,' for 'the morning 
sun.' — Fgu'is afflavit anhelis, ' has breathed upon us with his panting steeds.' 
The morning air, which precedes the rising of the sun, is poetically ascribed 
to the breathing of his horses. Forb., K. 

251. Sera rubens accendit lumina Vesper, ' ruddy Hesperus kindles his late 
ligh"'; se?-a /umma referring to the light of the evening star itself. H., Con. 
Others take Vesjier to mean ' the evening,' and the allusion to be to the red- 
ness of the evening sky, Voss, Forb. ; or to the stars. K. 

252. Hinc, i. e. from this regular progress of the sun through the zodiac. 
II., K. — Tempestates, 'the weather,' 'changes in the weather.' Cf. ou v. 27, 

Voss, K. — Dubio caelo, ' tliough the heavens are uncertam,' ' are overcast,' 
i. e. though nothing can be foretold from the heavens, because of their being 
covered with clouds. Forb. 

25-3. Messis diem, ' the time of harvest,' i. e. summer; so tempus serendi de- 
notes the autumn, Forb., and deducere classes refers to the spring. 

254. Injidum is significant, as showing the importance of knowing when to 
ventm-e on the sea, Con. — Marmor, ' the sea,' i. e. its surface. From its 
sparkling beneath the rays of the sun, like marble. Homer named the sea 
fxa^liapinv, ' many-twinkling,' II. 14, 273. 

255. Deducere, ' to launch,' see in Lex. I. B. 3. The ancients drew their 
vessels up on the shore for the winter. Forb., K. — Evertere pinum, i. e. to fell 
for building ships, etc. — Anna/as, 'rigged,' 'fitted out' for sea. 

256. Ttmpestivam for tempestlve, with evertere. — Silvis, Gr. § 254, R. 3. 

257. Vs. 257, 258, (like vs. 252 — 25G), come under hinc, Con. 

258. Temporibusque parem, etc., 'and the year equal in regard to its four 
different seasons.' The seasons are diverse, yet as they are of equal lengths, 
and succeed each other regularly, they make the year uniform. Con. 

259. Rainy weather also has its employments, vs. 259 — 267. Frigidus is 
an epithet of rain in general, and not merely of that of wintei-. Voss, K. — 
Continei, ' keeps at home,' ' confines to the house.' H., Con. 

260. Caelo sereno, Gr. § 257, R. 7, (a). Cf. on v. 2U.—Pro2)eranda, 'done 
with haste,' ' hurried,' and therefore badly done. 

261. Maiurare, ' to do betimes,' ' in good time.' This contrast between 
properare and maturare is noticed by Gellius, 10, 11. — Datur, scil. occasio=z 
licet, ' he may.' Forb. 

262. Arbore, i. e. ex arbore; see in Lex. ex, C. 3. — Linires were troughs 
into which grapes were put after the vintage. Coa. 



204 BOOK I. XOTES. 

263. Aut pecoH signum. The sheep were marked with hot pitch, usually 
in January and April ; the mark being commonly the name of their master, 
Calpurn. 5, 84: Col. 7, 9, 12: cf. G. 3, 158, Forh. — Numeros impressii acervis, 
' puts numbei's on the heaps of corn,' 1. e., as Servius explains it, puts tablets 
or tickets on the heaps, showing the number of measures contained in them, 
S. Impressit properly refers only to pecoH signum, and we must supply with 
numeros acertis, inscripsit, or the like, Foi-h.; Gr. § 323, 1, (2), (a). Impressit^ 
see on v. 49, H. 

264. Fa^Zos /lO'cas^-Me ; for supporting vines. Cf. G. 2, 359. 

265. Amerina-, cf. on Hyblaeis, E. 1, 55. Ameria, a town in Umbria, near 
the Tiber, was famous for its willows. Wr. Columella (4, 30), speaking of 
■willows for tying up the vine, enumerates three sorts, the Greek, the Gallic 
and the Sabine or Amerian, the last of which has a slender red twig. Con. 

266. Facilis Jiscina, ' the pliant fiscina,' so called because made of flexible 
vines; the epithet belonging rather to virga. K., Con. 

267. Toi^rtte igni fruges. The corn was dried or roasted to make it easier 
to grind. H. Igni, Gr. § 82, Exc. 5, (a). 

268. Work to be done on holidays, vs. 268 — 275. — Quippe etiam, ' inasmuch 
as even.' This sentence is to be connected with what precedes by supplying 
the thought: Be not surprised that I enjoin upon the husbandman the per- 
formance of certain labors in wet weather ; for even on holidays some kinds 
of work are permitted. H. 

269. Fas et jura, ' divine and human laws,' Serv. ; see /as in Lex. — Deda- 
cere, 'to lead off,' i. e. iiito the fields; see deduco, I. A. a., in Lex. The poet 
is speaking of certain works of necessity, which, because they are necessary, 
are not forbidden to be done on holidays. To lead the water down the chan- 
nels would be a work of daily necessity for gardens in hot weather. Con. 
Heyne, relying on Macrob. Sat. 3, 3, and Colum. 2, 22, 3, understands dedu- 
cere to be used here only of leading off the water by clearing out the old 
channels or water courses, as it was not permitted on holidays to make new 
channels for irrigation, but it was lawful to clean out old ones. 

270. Religio, ' religious scruples ' ; see in Lex. IL A. — Vetuit, cf. on v. 49. — 
Praetendere, ' to place before.' Forb. ^ K. say that it is to be understood here 
merely of repairing old hedges, because it was forbidden to make hedges for 
corn on holidays, Col. 2, 22; but Virgil's words are surely express, Con. 

271. Avibus, i. e. birds of prey and such as injure the corn. H., Voss. 

272. Balantum, ' bleating,' w^hen washed. Forb. — Fluvio salubri. It was 
not pei-mitted to wash sheep on holidays, except to cure disease, hence salu- 
hri, Macr. and Col. above cited. 

273. Saepe oho, etc. Markets were also held on holidays (as they are still 
on Sundays in the south of Europe) at which the country people could sell 
the produce of their farms or gardens. Forb., K.— Agitator aselli, ' the driver 
of the ass,' not the man whose business it was to drive asses, asinarius, but 
the peasant who happens to drive the ass to market. Forb., Con. 

274. Vilibus, cf. on v. 227. — Lapidem incusum, ' an indented stone,' i. e. an 
indented mill-stone, so prepared that it may crush the corn better, Serv., Con. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 205 

275. Massam picis. Pitch was useful for marking sheep, repairing wooden 
vessels, etc. K. — Urbe^ Gr. § 255, 1. 

276. Of work to be clone on particular days of the month, vs. 276—286. 
Virgil is said by Pliny, 18, 32, 75, to have followed Democritus in this enu- 
meration Of lucky and unlucky days. Hesiod, "Epy. 765, sq., had treated the 
subject at much greater length. //., Con.— Dies alios alio ordine, 'different 
days in different order ' ; Gr. § 207, R. 32, (a). Alios is masculine though 
followed by quintam, septima, nona, Gr. § 90, 1. Of. venit post multos una serena 
dies, TibuU. 3, 6, 32, Forb.—Dedit, cf. on v. 49. 

277. Felices operum, 'auspicious for woi'k,' i. e. for agricultural work. 
Gr. § 213.— Quintain. On the fifth day, he says, after the rising of the moon, 
Pluto, the Titans and Giants were horn.— Pallidus ; before this word supply 
gua, or nam ea, Forb. : pallidus, of the ghastliness of death. 

278. Eumenides. The furies were the ministers of the vengeance of the 
gods. They were three in number, Alecto, Proserpine, and Megaera. — Tunriy 
• then.' No other extant authority appears to fix the birth of the giants to 
this day. Con. 

279. Coeumque lapetumque. These were Titans, sons of Heaven, (Uranus) 
and Eartli ; and are here put a part for the whole. — Creat, cf. on E. 8, 45. — 
Typhoea ; a snaky-headed monster with a hundred heads, son of Tartarus 
and Terra. 

280. Conjuratos rescindere, Gr. § 271, note 3. Cf on E. 5, 2. — Fratres seems 
here to refer to the Giants, Gigantts, sons of Tartarus and Terra, though what 
is here related of them is told by Homer, (Od. 11, 304, sq.) and by Virgil him- 
self, in A. 6, 582, of the Abides, Otus and Ephialtes: and it may be that these 
are referred to here. 

281. The laborious efforts of the giants are happily expressed by the slow 
movement in this verse and by the non-elision of i and o. Wr. See Gr. § 305, 
1, (2). — Virgil reverses the positions of Pelion and Olympus, as given in 
Hom. Od. 11, and transfei-s to the latter the epithet there attached to the 
former. Con. — The non-elision of the i and o, and the shortening of the latter 
are in imitation of the Greek rhythm, and are appropriate here and elsewhere 
where the subject reminds us of Greek poetry. Con. 

282. Scilicet, ' for indeed,' ' truly,' ' surely,' not in an ironical sense, but 
introducing an explanation of what precedes. 

283. Pater, i. e. Jupiter. Cf. on v. 121. 

284. Septima post decimam, 'the seventeenth,' Voss, Forb., Con. It might 
also mean, ' the tenth is lucky and next to it the seventh.' — Felix ponere ; cf. 
on E. 5, 2. 

285. Prensos, 'caught,' as they had been previously in some measure 
wild. K. Until their third year they were allowed to roam unrestrained 
through the pastures, and were then caught and broken in. Voss. — Licia telae 
addere, ' to add the leashes to the warp,' i. e. to weave. Con. 

286. i^w^ifffle, i. e. the flight of runaway slaves. As at this time the moon 
gave a bright light the fugitive would be enabled to see where he was going, 
but the same circumstance would be unfavorable to the thief, who preferred 

18 



206 BOOK I. NOTES. 

the dark. The husbandmnn is therefore warned to be on his guard at this 
time against the former, while he need have no appreliensions of the latter. 
Voss, H., Forb. 

287. Of work to be done at night, or very early in the morning, vs. 287 — 
296, both in summer, vs. 287—291, and in winter, vs. 291— 296.— ii/a^ia acko, 
'very many things'; see in Lex. 2. adeo, B. 2. — Se cledtre^ i. e. dam se solent, 
cf. on V. 49, 'present themselves ' to be attended to, 'may be done.' H. 

288. Sole novo, i. e. early in the morning, 'just as the sun is rising.' II., K. 

289. Sfijmlae, etc. The usual mode of reaping Avas to cut off the straw in 
the middle, leaving the rest in the ground. The stubble so left was either 
burned, to enrich the field, (see v. 85), or was cut in August and within a 
month after the harvest, and tised either for fodder or bedding for cattle. 
Voss. The stubble and grass are more easily cut when wet with dew: 
see on v. 290. — Arida prata, opposed to those which could be irrigated. Voss. 

290. Nodes, the object of deficit. — Lentus, ' pliant,' i. e. ' that makes pliant.' 
Forb. 

291. Quidam, like r/y , ' a certain one,' for est, qui, ' there is, who,' cf. Hor. 
2. Ep. 2, 182 ; Pers. 1, 76. Wr., Con. — Seros hiberni ad luminis ignes, ' by the 
late fires of the winter light,' ' by the late flame of the winter lamp,' luminis 
referring to lamp or torch-light. 

293. While he is thiis engaged his wife is occupied with her loom ; the art 
of weaving being practised by the Greek and Eoman women of every rank. 
Forb., K. — Solata, i. e. solans-, cf. on v. 206. 

294. Arguto, ' shrill,' alluding to the noise made by the pecien when in 
operation. Cf. Arguto tenuis jjei^currens pectine telas, A. 7, 14. — Pectine, ' the 
comb,' (answering to our 'reed'), the teeth of which were inserted between 
the threads of the warp, and thus made, by a forcible impulse, to drive the 
threads of the woof close together. Con. 

295. Musii humorem, a. penphrasls. H. — Vulcano, 'by fire,' see in Lex. B. 
Must was boiled down one half, to defrutum, cf. G. 4, 269, or two thirds, to 
sapa. Forb. When thus reduced it was mixed with other wines, and was 
supposed to have the effect of keeping them sweet for a gi-eater length of 
time than they would otherwise have endured. It was sometimes mixed with 
milk, and drunk on holidays. Br. — This verse is hypercatalectic, Gr. § 304, 
(4), the em in humorem being elided by the vowel with which the next verse 
commences. 

296. Foliis. Vine leaves were used in skimming the must, instead of 
using wood, which was thought to impart a smoky taste to the liquor. Forb. 
— Undam trepidi aeni, ' the wave of the bubbling ' or ' boiling caldron ' : trepidi 
properly belongs to undam, the must when boiling, Gr. § 205, E. 14. 

297. Of work to be done in the day time, both in summer and winter, vs. 
297 — 310. — Rubicunda Ceres, 'ruddy Ceres,' for 'the yellow grain.' — Medio 
aesfu, 'in the midst of the heat,' i, e. of summer, 'in midsummer's heat ' : 
cf. frigoribus mediis, E. 10, 65, H., Wch., Con., Klotz. So in v. 298. In other 
passages Virgil uses this expression to denote the ' mid-day heat ' of summer, 
G. 3, 331 ; 4, 401 ; but at mid-day the reaper rested from his work. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 207 

298. Tostas, 'dried,' 'parched,' by the heat: not to be construed with 
■Te7'it area fvuges, i. e. fruges teruntur in area] cf. v. 192. 

299. Nudus ara, sere nudus, from Hesiod's "Epy. 391, 392, yvfivbv aneipeiv^ 
yviJivbv (5f PowtIiv. Nudus, ' without the toga,' see in Lex. I. A. The time re- 
ferred to is the early autumn, when the air is so warm as to allow the hus- 
bandman to go thinly clad. H., Wr. — Hiems ignava colono, ' the winter is the 
farmer's idle time.' K. 

300. Frigoribus, i. e. Ideme. Cf. E. 2, 22. — Parto, 'what they have gotten,' 
'their earnings,' through the rest of the year. — Plerumqwe, 'most of the 
time,' H., ' for the most part,' ' commonly,' Br. 

301. Inter se laeti, ' rejoicing together.' — Curant, 'prepare.' 

302. Genialis, ' genial.' According to ancient mythology every man had 
his tutelar deity, or Genius, who, as the Romans supposed, took great delight 
in feasts, Fo7'b. ; see Genius, in Lex. — Resolvit, ' banishes ' ; see in Lex. IL A. 

303. Pressae, see premo, I. B. 7 in Lex. 

304. Imposuere coronas. It was the custom of the sailors, on their return 
home from a successful voyage, to put garlands on the sterns of their ships 
when they came into port, Forb., K. This verse is repeated A. 4, 418. 

305. Sed tamen, i. e. although winter is the time of leisure (v. 299), yet 
some work may be done then. Wr. — Quernas, because glans was also used 
of other fruits than acorns. Forb., Con. — Stringer e tempus, cf. on v. 213. * 

306. Myrta. The myrtle berries were used for mixing with wine, which 
was then called myrtites, and was used medicinally- Forb., Con. 

307. Gruibus. Cranes were a delicacy of the table, but the husbandman 
might naturally snare them in self defense. Con. 

308. ^?mtos, ' long-eared.' — Turn, etc. The construction is, turn {tempus 
est) torquentem (i. e. eum qui torquet) verbera fundae, Jigere, etc. Figere, cf. 
on E. 2, 29. 

309. Stvppea verbera, ' the tow-thongs,' Voss, K. — Balearis, see Baleares 
in Lex. and cf. on Hyblaeis, E. ] , 55. 

311. Of storms, vs. 311 — 463. These occur principally towards the begin- 
ning of autumn and the end of spring, vs. 311 — 315. — Tempestates seems fixed 
by sidera to mean ' weather,' rather than ' storms ' : the latter notion is not 
expressed, but left to be inferred. Con. — Sidera. These are mentioned be- 
cause their rising and setting were regarded as the causes of storms. The 
constellations on which the autumn storms were supposed to depend were 
Arcturus, the Centaur, the Kids, and the CroAvn, Forb., Con. 

312. Atque {quid dicam) quae vigilanda viris (sint) ubi jam, etc. H. — Ubi 
breviorque dies et mollior aestas, i. e. at the approach of autumn, when the days 
begin to shorten, and the summer heat is more mild. 

313. Vigilanda, ' to receive wakeful care,' ' to be cared for.' — Vel, scil. 
quae vigilanda viris. — Euit, ' hastens ' towards its close, i. e. is ending. Voss, 

Wr. 

314. Spicea messis, ' the harvest in the ear,' ' the bearded hai'vest.' 
Forb., Br. 

315. In viridi stipula, ' on the green stalk.' 



208 BOOK I. NOTES. 

316. Stoi'ms often come also in midsummer. — Quum indticeret, Gr. § 263, 
5, R. 2. 

317. Fragill culmo, Gr. § 211, R. 6; descriptive of barley in general, and 
not of any kind in particular. H. — Strinyeret, ' cut off.' — Ilwdea, ' the barley,' 
i. e. the heads of the barley. 

318. Omnia ventorum j)roeliaj for proelia omnium ventorum, ' the battles of 
all the winds,' i. e. all the winds in conflict with each other. 

319. Quae eruerent^ i. e. talia or ianta ut eruerent, Gr. § 264, 1, (a) & (6). — 
Gravidam, ' loaded,' ' full ' ; cf. v. 111. — Late, Avith eruerent. — Ab radicibus, cf. 
on V. 20. 

320. Sublimem, i. e. sublime. — Expulsam einierent, i, e. expdlereni et erue- 
rent, (for eruerent et expellerent, Gr. § 323, 4, (2) ), Gr. § 274, 3, {b). Forb. 
makes it equivalent to eruendo expellerent ; ita eruerent ut expulsa sit, by what 
is termed the proleptic use of a participle or adjective. In such instances the 
effect of the action of the verb is anticipated, and that which is yet to take 
place is spoken of as already effected. Cf. Schultz Lat. Sprachlehre, § 465, 
Anm.,and Ellendt's Bilbroth's Gr. § 176, Aimi. 5. — Ita, 'so,' 'thus,' probably 
introduces a comparison between the hurricane that roots up the corn {gravi- 
dam segetem), and an ordinary gust which whirls about stubble {culmumque 
levem stipulasque volantes) : the point of compai'ison being the ease with which 
the work is done. Con. Wr. and Forb. make ferret to depend on quae, i. e. 
tanta ut, understood, and give ita the force of turn, eira. 

322. But there are also storms of rain and thunder in summer, as well as 
of wind. K. — Agmen aquarum, ' a train of waters,' i. e. dense and continuous 
showers. Wr. 

323. Tempestatem, ' weather ' ; foedam having the sense of ' ugly ' or ' grim,' 
or, as w^e should say, ' foul.' Con. — There seems to be, in this and the preced- 
ing verse, a case of liysteron proteron, as the brewing of the storm would 
naturally precede the descent of the rain. Con. 

324. Ex alto, i. e. ex alto caelo, ' from the high heaven,' ' from the heavens,' 
E; Forb., Con.: but Voss, Wr., K. and Lade., supply mare, which would 
doubtless give the truer view of the phenomenon, but it seems more probable 
that the poet meant to represent clouds as mustered from on high, keeping 
up the military associations already introduced by agmen. Con. — Ruit arduus 
aether, 'the high heaven rushes down,' i. e. the rain descends in torrents, as 
if the sky itself was falling: cf. G. 2, 325, sq. ; omnis uti videatur in imhrem 
vertier aether, Lucr. 6, 291. 

325. Boti7n labores, Ipya PouJv, Hesiod "Epy. 46, ' the labors of the oxen,' i. e. 
' the ploughed fields.' 

326. Fossae, ' the channels ' or ' drains,' of the corn-fields, otherwise called 
colliciae, cf. verse 372. — Cava. During the summer months in Italy there is 
very little water in the beds of most of the rivers, so that their channels may 
justly be called hollow, for they resemble a road running between two high 
banks, K. 

327. Fretis=aquis, cf. v. 356, H., Wr. — Spirantibus, i. e. aestuantibus, ' boil- 
ing up,' ' foaming,' K, Wr., Forb. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 209 

328. Ipse Paler, cf. on E. 8, 96 & v. 121. — Media in node, ' amid the night,' 
i. e. the gloom, K. — Corusca dextra=C07'uscante, i. e. by reason of the thun- 
derbolt which he holds in his hand: cf. Pater. . . rubenti dextera jacidatus 
arces, Hor. Od. 1, 22: Vibrans corusca fulvien Aetnaeum manu, Sen. Hippol. 
155. H., Forb., Con. 

329. Quo motu, i. e. quibus commota, Wr. Motus is implied in the preceding 
clause; see Gr. § 206, (11). — Maxima terra, yaXa mliiprj, Hesiod. Theog. 173, 
et alibi. See Gr. § 122, R. 4. 

330. Fugere, ' have fled,' of instantaneous flight, like exiit^ G. 2, 81, TF/'., 
Con. 

331. Humilis, ' base,' ' abject,' so called from the eflfect which it produces. 
See in Lex. II. B. 

332. Aut Athon, etc. The selection of particular mountains makes the 
description more picturesque. K. Athos was a mountain of Macedonia, Rho- 
dope of Thrace, and Ceraunia of Epirus. Wr. — Alia Ceraunia, from 'Axpo^cc- 
pavvta, see Acroceraunia in Lex. 

333. Dejlcit, ' casts down,' a poetic hyperbole for fe7'it, Forb., or, it may 
mean, as explained by K. & Con., casts down a fragment of the mountain. 

334. Planguni, i. e. plangorem edunt, resonant, H., Wr., ' wail, ' moan,' Con. : 
this is better than with Jahn and Forb., to take austri and imber as the sub- 
ject, and nemora and litoi'a as the object of plangunt, 'lash with furious 
gusts,' though we find no other example of this intransitive use. 

335. How to guard agamst storms, vs. 335 — 350. — Caeli menses et sidera. 
Caeli menses, ' the months of the heavens,' i. e. the signs of the zodiac through 
which the sun passes, thus forming the months of the year. Sidera is not to 
be restricted to the signs of the zodiac, as the next two lines are evidently in- 
tended to give instances of the things to be observed. Con., H., Wch. Others 
take sidera to be epexegetical of menses caeli, i. e. sidera menses regentia, cf. 
on v. 173 & E. 2, 8; Wr., Forb., K. — Serva, i. e. observa, see in Lex. II. 

336. Observe the planets' course in the sky. Saturn, the most distant 
from the sun, and Mercury, the nearest to it, are named by way of example. 
Saturn, when in Capricorn, according to Servius, caused heavy rains, espe- 
cially in Italy, and when in the Scorpion, hailstones. — Frigida, so called on 
account of its distance from the sun. R. — Sese receptet, ' betakes itself,' ' re- 
tires,' ' withdraws.' 

337. Ignis Cyllmius, i. e. the star Mercury, called ignis from his brightness, 
b <rri?.(5(Dv, Forb., and perhaps, by way of contrast to frigida Saturni stella, 
Con. — Quos erret in orbes, etc., ' into Avhat orbits Mercury maj'- be wandering,' 
i. e. its course: orbes is used in view of the many revolutions which Mercury 
makes, as being nearest the sun and therefore having the smallest orbit. Its 
periodic time is 87 days and 23 hours. Wr., Br. — Some Mss. have caeli. 

338. To avert the violence of storms, the deities, especially Ceres, are to be 
worshipped. — Magnae is an ordinary epithet of the gods, Con. 

339. Sacra. Two festivals are referred to, one of which, the Ambarvalia, 
(cf. on E. 5, 75, & v. 340), was observed towards the end of April, and the 
other in the summer, immediately before the harvest. H., Forb. — Refer, 

18* 



210 



BOOK I. NOTES. 



' repeat,' ' renew,' of the yearly recurring festival, Voss, Wr.— Operatus, cf. on 
vs. 293, 206. 

340. Sub, 'immediately after'; see in Lex. 11. B. 2, & Gr. § 235, (2), & 
R. 6. — Casum,* the end,' see in Lex. IL 1. 

341. MoUisima, ' most melloAv,' i. e. the wine of the preceding year, which 
had grown mellow in the winter. Forh., K. 

342. The second clause here explains the first. Fwh., Con. 

343. Tibi, Gr. ^ 228, note. 

344. Libations of milk, honey and wine were made to the rural deities. H. 

345. Felix, ' auspicious,' i. e. a pure victim, and for that reason acceptable 
to the gods, H. ; such as a lamb or calf, K. It was led three times round the 
fields previous to being sacrificed. K. 

346. Chorus ei socii, i. e. chorus sociorum, H. ; cf. on E. 2, 8. The socii 
here spoken of are the fellow-laborers or vernae, H. 

347. Vocent in tecta, ' invite to their houses,' thus to evince her favor by 
her presence, K. — Neque ante. He now speaks of the other festival in honor 
of Ceres, //., Wr., Forb.; cf. on v. 839. 

348. Supponat, see in Lex. L A. 

349. Torta quercu, see tortus, A. under iorqueo in Lex. This was worn, 
according to Servius, in memory of man's firsi food. H., Con. 

350. Det motus, see motus, I. B. in Lex. — Tncovipositos=incondUos, ' uncouth,' 
'rude,' Foj-b. 

351. Of the signs which foretell stormy Aveather, vs. 351 — 392; (wind, vs. 
356 — 369, rain, vs. 370 — 392). — Haec refers to aestus, ^jluvias and ventos. Wch. 

352. Aest7is, *■ hesiV — J^ewies, 'bringing with them,' Forb., K. 

353. Menstrua, ' monthly,' i. e. which performs her course in a month. 

354. Quo signo cadereni, i. e. what sign should indicate that they were 
about to subside. H. Caderent, see in Lex. II. 6. — Quid saepe videntes, i. e. 
quo signo saepe viso, Forb. — Austri, here for winds in general. 

355. Proprius stabuUs, i. e. nearer than if driven to their usual pastures; 
the object being to have them where they could soon find shelter from the 
storm, Forb. ; Gr. § 228, 1. 

356. The prognostics of wind here given are copied from Arat. Progn. 177, 
sq. H. — Continuo, etc., 'immediately on the rising of,' etc. — Freta ponti, ' the 
waters of the sea,' periphrastically for the sea, cf. on v. 327. H. 

857. Aridus fragor, ' a dry crackling noise,' like that produced by the 
breaking of dry boughs; see aridus, 1, in Lex. and cf. atov avcrev, Horn. II. 13, 
441, and KupipaXhv Svaev, II. 5, 409. Jfl. 

358. Monilbus, i. e. in sihis montium, Forb. 

359. Litora misceri resonantia longe, i. e. misceri et resonare, ' to be dis- 
turbed,' etc., or, litora ita misceri, ut resonent longe, ' to be so disturbed,' 
i. e. by the waves dashing against them, 'that,' etc., Forb.; cf. on v. 320. 

360. Sibi a curvis temperai carinis, • refrains from,' etc., Gr. § 251, & R. 1. ; 
cf also Madvig § 261, foot-note: '•'■Tempero is sometimes met with in this con- 
struction with the addition of tlie reflective pronoun in the dative." — MaUy 
•hardly,' ' scarcely ' ;=ria3 or non, Wr. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 211 

362. Clamor em ferunt ad Utora, that is, while themselves flying to the 
shore, and hence, i. q. clamantes fugiunt ad litora, 'fly screaming to the 
shore,' Forb. — Mai-inae is opposed to in sicco. Con. 

363. Notas, ' well-known,' ' familiar.' 

365. Another sign of wind, aKovnayLoi aaripav, shooting stars. Forb. 

366. Umbram fiammarum. The Latiu poets, in arranging the words of a 
sentence, are accustomed to place near to each other those words which ex- 
press opposite ideas, for the purpose of more forcible contrast, Forb. ; see Gr. 
§ 279, 5. 

367. Fiammarum tractus, from Lucr. 2, 206, sq. : Nocturnasque faces caeli 
sublime volnntes nonne rides longos fiammarum ducere tractus. See in Lex. 2. 
tractus. — A tergo, * behind them.' 

368. Another sign of wind. So Pliny, 18, 35, 36, enumerates as indications 
of a coming storm, folia sine aura, quae seniiatur, ludentia, lanuginem populi, 
aut spinas volitantes et plumas aquis innatantes. H. — Caducas, ' fallen,' Forb. 

370. Signs of approaching rain, vs. 370 — 392. These also are taken from 
Aratus, 201 — 205, H. — At Boreae, etc. The meaning is, when it thunders 
and lightens from all parts of the heavens ; three winds being put for all. H., 
Wr., Con. 

371. Domus, ' the abode,' as if each of the winds had a home in the quar- 
ter of the heavens from which it blows, Con. According to Voss, the poet 
here follows an ancient fable, which represented the winds as deities, each 
having his own home in the remotest confines of earth; but in A. 1, 56, he 
adopts a later tradition, making the winds subject to Aeolus and imprisoned 
by him in caverns. 

372. Fossis, cf. on v. 326. — Ponto, opposed to rura, Forb. 

373. Humida, scil. imbre, Forb. — Legit, ' furls ' ; see 2. lego, I. A. in Lex. — 
Numquam imprudentibus, etc., ' rain never injures people unawares,' i. e. ' un- 
warned,' because there is such a variety of signs that announce it, H., K. 

374. Obfuit, cf. on v. 49. — ValUbus imis, to be taken with fugere, 'in the 
bottoms of the valleys,' i. e. shun it by flying to the valleys and sheltering 
themselves there. Forb. 

375. Aeriae, ' flying high,' ' high-soaring.' This epithet applies to the usual 
mode of the cranes' flight, and is contrasted with vallibus imis, Con. — Fugere 
=fugere solent, cf. on v. 49. Forb. 

376. This and the preceding verse are derived from Aratus, vs. 222, 223, 
translated by Cic. de Div. 1, 9, 15. H. — Captavit=:captare solei, capiat, ' snuffs ' ; 
cf. on V. 49, H. 

377. Arguta, 'twittering,' 'chii-ping.' Fm-b. The swallow is always ob- 
ser\'ed to fly low before rain, because the flies and other insects, on which she 
feeds, keep at that time near the surface of the ground and the water. K. — 
Circumvoliiavit, cf. on v. 49. 

378. Veie7'em querelam. It is possible that these words contain an allusion, 
as Wr. and some other critics hold, to the complaint of the Lycians at their 
change into frogs by Latona, Ov. Met. 6, 316, sq., or, as Servius thinks, to 
;Esop's fable of the frogs wanting a king; but it seems better, with H., K. and 



212 BOOK I. NOTES. 

Con., to understand querelam as expressing the note of the frog, constant and 
unvarying; ' plaint,' ' plaintive note ' ; veterem being used as we use ' old ' in 
speaking of that which is often repeated in the same unvarying manner, as, 
a person's old story, old tune, etc. — Cecinere, cf. on v. 49. Voss observes that 
by using the verb cecinere (pronounced by the Romans Jcehinere)^ the poet 
■wished to imitate the note of the frog, PpiKeKi^ Koa^ Koa^ as Aristophanes gives 
it. K. See in Lex. cano, II. 2. 

379. Peneti-alihus, an adjective, see penetralls, II. in Lex. Forh. 

380. Terens, ' treading often,' see in Lex. iey-o, I. B. 4. — Iter, ' path,' Cerda, 
ff., Forh. — Et hibit, etc. The rainbow was supposed to draw up moisture 
from the sea, rivers, etc., with its horns, and to dischai-ge it in rain, //., Con.', 
see in Lex. Ubo, &. The appearance of the rainbow is here one of tlie signs 
of rain, drawing up the water being assumed to be its constant function. Con. 

381. Another sign was the ravens returning early from feeding. 

382. Densis alls, ' with crowded wings,' Con., the birds flying close to- 
gether. 

383. Another sign from sea-birds and swans: taken from Aratus, vs. 210, 
sq., H. — Variae volucres is the reading of the best manuscripts : others have 
varias. With the reading variae we must supply eas with videas in v. 387 ; 
see Gr. § 323, 3, (5). Variae . , . inf under e, objectare, currere, for solent infun- 
dere, infundunt, etc., Gr. § 209, R. 5. — Et quae, etc., the fresli-water fowl, and 
especially the swans which were very numerous about the Cayster. — Aaia 
prata, ' the Asian meadows,' a tract of land in Lydia on the banks of the 
Cayster, by whose waters it is often overflowed ; cf. Horn. II. 2, 461, ri kvkvu)v 
6ovXi^oSEip(i)v 'A(Jiu){v XeifiuJvL Kavarpiov d^^j pledpa. H., K. — Circum, an adverb. 

384. Dulcihus, in opposition to the waters of the sea, mentioned in the pre- 
ceding verse. Forb. — Rimanlur prata, 'rummage' or 'search the meadows,' 
i. e. try them in every chink for food. Forh., K. 

385. Largos humeris infundere rores, ' pour upon their shoulders an abun- 
dance of water': rores implies that they make it into spray. Con. 

386. Caput objectare fretis, ' oppose their heads to the sea,' i. e. ' dip ' or 
' plunge their heads into the water,' ' dive down ' : cf. caput objectare periclis, 
A. 2, 751, Forb. — Currere in undas, 'run to meet,' 'run into the waves.' 

387. Incassum, ' wantonly,' nearly the same notion as Aratus' airXriaTov^ 
Varro's inexpleto studio, Con., ' without aim' or ' pui-pose.' 

388. Ckn'nix improba', we may render improbn ' villanous,' or as we should 
say 'good for nothing,' because the crow invites the rain: Ladewig gives the 
spirit of it in the words, die hexe, ' the witch,' Con. — Plavinm vocat; the crow 
is said to call the rain, as her cry announces its coming: cf Lucr. 5, 1084, sq. 
Raucisonos cantus cornicum . . . aquain dicuntur et imbres poscere. H. 

389. Sola secum, avrn KaO' iavrrh', ' alone by herself,' in contrast with the 
ravens and swans. The leisurely and stately pace of the crow is happily 
expressed by the measure of the verse, Forb., K., Con. The alliteration, in 
this and the preceding verse, is worthy of notice. Bryce imitates this alliter- 
ation in the following translation : 

" And stalks in solitary state along the sapless sand." 



BOOK I. NOTES. 213 

Compare the lines in Poe's Raven: 

'* In there stepped a stately Raven 
Of the sainted days of yore." 

390. Signs in the lamps. — Carpenfes, 'spinning,' because they drew it 
from the distaff as they formed the thread, K., see in Lex. carpo, 3. — Pensa, 
see pensits^ B. under pendo in Lex. 

391. Testa ardente, ' in the burning lamp.' The ordinary lamps of the an- 
cients were made of potter's earth. K. 

392. Scintillare oleum, ' the oil flash,' or ' emit sparks,' i. e. the flame fed 
by the oil. H. — Putres, ' soft,' ' crumbling.'' 

393. Signs of clear weather, vs. 393 — 423; first negatively, by mentioning 
the absence of those signs whose presence would have denoted rain, vs. 395 — 
40Q, and then affirmatively, vs. 401, sq. — Ex iinhri, ' after the rain,' Wr.^ i. e. 
from what takes place after the rain you will know whether it is going to be 
clear weather or rain again, Wr., Con. — Soles, 'sunny' or 'fine days': of. 
Si numeres anno soles et nuhlla toto, i. e. dies serenos et nubilos, Ov. Trist. 5, 8, 
31, Forb. — Aperfa serena, ' cloudless serene skies ' ; see serenus, I. 2, in Lex. 

395. Neque stelUs acies videtw obtusa., i. e. ' neither are the stars seen with 
their brightness dimmed,' for the air being free from vapor they- twinkle 
brightly and with a clear and distinct outline, K., Br.; cf. Aratus, v. 281, 
and see in Lex. acies, 2, a. 

396. Nee frairis radiis obnoxia stirgere Luna, scil. videtur. The commen- 
tators have found much difficulty with this passage. Voss, Wch., Jahn and 
Con., with whom Forb. substantially agrees, interpret it, ' nor is the moon 
seen to rise beholden to her brother's beams,' i. e. the moon rises as bright 
as though she shone with her own light, and was not dependent upon the 
sun, (Phoebus). According to Wr. and Ladewig, the meaning is; the moon 
does not derive from the beams of the setting sun, a reddish color, portending 
a storm. 

397. Tenuia lanae vellera, ' thin fleeces of wool,' i. e. ' thin fleecy clouds,' 
like wool: cf Aratus, vs. 206, 207, and pendeniia vellera lanae, Lucr. 6, 504, 
sq. See vellus, B. in Lex. Tenuia, see Metrical Key. 

398. Tepidum, ' warm ' ; the afternoon or evening sun. Con. 

399. JJilcctae Thetidi alcyones, ' the kingfishers dear to Thetis.' For the 
story of Alcyone and Ceyx, her husband, changed by Thetis into kingfishers, 
see those words in Lex., and cf Ov. Met. 11, 268, sq. On the approach of a 
storm these birds were said to appear on the shore, spreading out their wings 
to the sun. 

400. Eespecting this sign of an approaching storm see Plin. 18, 35, 88, 
turpesque porci alienos sibi (i. e. ipsis non factos) manipulos foeni lacerantes. H. 
Keightley says the swine carry straw in their mouths to make beds for them- 
selves, and toss the bundles about when getting the straw. — Jactare solutos, 
i. e. solvunt et Jactant, or jactant ita td solvantur, cf. on v. 320. — Maniples, ' the 
bundles,' i. e. of straw, grass, etc. H. 



214 BOOK I. NOTES. 

401. The positive signs of fair weather, vs. 401—423. Cf. Aratus, vs. 256, 
sq., Pliu. 18, 35, 83, nebulae e monlibus descendentes, aut caelo cadenies, vel in 
vallibus sidentes serenitaiem promUtunt. 

402. The night owl is a sign of fine weather. Con. Cf. Aratus, 267. 

408. Neqiiicquam, like incassum, v. 387, ' without purpose,' 'aimlessly,' of a 
prolonged objectless effort. Con.; 'in vain,' as if striving to bring back foul 
weather by its cries. Wr., Forb. 

404. Ajjparei, etc. Another sign is derived from the birds disporting, or 
pursuing one another in the clear air. He gives as an instance, the haliaetus, 
or sea-eagle, pursuing the ciris, H.^ K. For the story of Nisus, changed to a 
sea-eagle, and Scj'-lla transformed into the ciris, see Nisuii, Scylla and ciris in 
Lex., Ov. Met. 8, 80, sq., and the poem Ciris. Cf. also on E. 6, 74:.— Apparet 
sublimis, Gr. § 210, E. 4. — Liguido^ ' clear,' after the storm. Con. 

405. Poenas dat, ' suffers punishment,' ' is punished.' 

406. Quacumque ilia, etc. The chase of a small bird by a bird of prey is 
very Avell depicted in these lines, 406 — 409. In the last, that part of the chase 
is described where the greater bird, having missed his pounce is obliged to 
soar into the air in order to make a second, and meantime the smaller one 
escapes as fast as it can. K. 

407. Inimicus, atrox, two epithets. 

410. As the ravens, by hurrying home, v. 381, aimounce rain, so their re- 
maining at home, cawing and flying about their nests, is a sign of fair 
weather. K. Aratus, vs. 271—277; Lucr. 5, 1083.— Liquidas,^ clem;' opposed 
to raucas, ' hoarse,' H. — Presso, i. e. coarctato, H., ' compressed,' see in Lex. 
premo, I. 10. Presso gutture, apparently opposed to plena voce, v. 388, Con. 

412. Dulcedine, i. e. voluptate, gaudio, ' pleasure,' 'joy.' H. 

413. In foliis, i. e. inter folia. — Imbribus actis, i. e. abactis, pulsis, ' when 
the rain is driven away,' H. ; Burman explains it by exaciis, jiniiis, ' when the 
rain is spent' ; Wch., and Forb., by actis caelo, ' when the rain is driven from 
the sky,' i. e. has descended. Cf. G. 2, 334. 

415. Eaud equidem credo, (scil. hoc ita fieri, H.), quia, etc. The poet now, 
in opposition to the Pythagoreans, Platonists and Stoics, who held that there 
was a portion of the divine mind in all animated beings, attempts to explain 
these acts of the ravens on the principles of the Epicureans and others, who 
allowed only of matter and its modifications. II., K. Cf. on G. 4, 219. 

416. Ingenium, * natural capacity,' 'genius.' — Aui o'erum fato, etc. This 
is explained by Burm., H., Wch., Wr., Lade, and Con., as follows: aut rentm 
ptrudentia fato, (i. e. a fato data), major, scil. sit illis, quam in hominibus esse 
solet; 'or the foresight of things given to them by Fate, is superior in them 
to what is usual in men ' ; the gifts of Fate being thus contrasted with those 
from Heaven, {divinitus), i. e. of the Gods. Con. sa.js divinitus is distinguished 
from fato, as Virgil is evidently alluding to the language of different pliiloso- 
phies,— ;/"rt/o pointing to the Stoic doctrine. Another explanation is given by 
Serv., Voss, Jahn, Forb., and K. : aut (quia sit illis) j^rudentia (quae sit) major 
fato rerum. i. e. cui fatum i-ermn pareat, 'or rather because the}' have a fore- 



BOOK I. NOTES. 215 

sight superior to the fate of things,' a degree of foresight such that fate must, 
as it were, obey. Aut, see in Lex. 4. 

417. As the air is condensed or rarefied, he says, a coiTesponding effect is 
thereby produced on these birds, which they signify by their notes, now 
huarse, now clear, i/., Fo7-b. — Tempestas, 'the weather.' — Gaeli, 'of the atmo- 
sphere.' 

418. Mutavere vias, ('have clianged their courses '), is explained by onohi- 
Z/s, the weather and the atmospheric moisture being supposed to shift, Con. 
Forb. explains vias by indoles, habitus, ' nature,' or ' condition ' ; cf. aspicienda 
via est caell (i. e. quae sit ratio et qualitas aeris), Prop. 4, 1, 103. — Juppiter uvi- 
dus austris denotes the condition of the atmosphere before the change. Con. 
Ucidais austris as it is the south winds which bring rain. Forh. 

419. Denset, is the reading of the best manuscripts, but Wr. gives densai 
for the sake of conformity with v. 248. — Denset erant quae, etc., ' condenses 
what just now was rare, and also rarefies what was dense,' and so gathers and 
disperses the clouds. For the foi'ce of et, see in Lex. 8. 

420. Species, ' phases,' a materialistic word, Con. ; ' habits,' ' disposition,' 
II., Forb., K. — Motus, also a materialistic word, Con., 'motions,' 'sensations.' 

421. Nunc alios, alios, scil. concijnebant, dum, etc. The words alios, dum 
nubila ventus agebat, are to be taken parenthetically. 

422. Ille, ' that,' see in Lex. II. A. 

423. Ovantes ffutture, ' rejoicing with their throats,' i. e. rejoicing in song, 
uttering joyful notes, H. Cf. v. 410. 

424. The weather may also be predicted from the appearance of the sun 
and moon, vs. 424 — 437. Cf. AratiTs, 46, sq., from which these lunar prognos- 
tics are taken. — Rapidum, 'fierce,' 'consuming,' 'scorching.' Cf. E. 2, 10; 
G. 1, 92. — Lunas seguentes ordine, ' the moons following in order,' i. e. the 
phases or changes of the moon. H. 

425. Crastijia hora, ^ to-morrow ^ ; hora=^tempus, see in Lex. II., here pat 
for dies, a part for the whole, Forb., K. 

426. Insidiis noctis capiere serenae, that is, of a night which though clear 
in the early part, ends in rain, and which therefore, like an ambush, presents 
a deceitful appearance. Cf. caeli toties deceptus fraude sereni, A. 5, 851, H. 
Forb., K. 

427. Revertentes, etc., ' when first she collects her returning light,' i. e. 
when she begins to fill anew, K. Con. cites from Tennyson; " what time the 
mighty moon was gathering light." 

428. Nigrum, 'dusky.' — Obscuro cornu, for cornibus, 'with her obscure 
horns ' ; the horns of the moon being dull because the air is dusky. 

429. Pelago, for nautis, H. 

430. Virgineum, alhiding to the virgin moon-goddess Diana. Forb., K. — 
Buffuderit ore (scil. in), ruborem, for suffuderit as rubore, cf. on G. 3, 439, Forb. 
See Gr. § 323, 4, (b), (3); 254, E. 3. 

431. Vento semjjer rubet, ' always reddens with the wind,' i. e. grows red 
whenever wind is near. H., Forb.. K. Gr. § 249, III. E. or 247, 3. 

432. Auctor, ' announcer,' ' foreteller,' H., ' authoritv-' K- 



216 BOOK I. NOTES. 

435. Exactum ad mensem, ' to the end of the month.' See in Lex. exigo, II. 
B. 3. 

436. Votaque, etc. It was a custom among the ancient mariners, to vovsr 
a sacrifice to the sea-gods, on the shore, provided they returned safe from 
their voyage, M. — Servati^ ' that have come safe to port,' not ' preserved ' 
from peril as if there had been a stoi-m: cf. aw^iadai, Con. 

437. This verse, according to Gellius, 13, 26, and Macrobius, 5, 17, is from 
the Greek of Parthenius. See Metrical Key, and Gr. § 305, 1, (2). 

438. Of the signs of the weather to be derived from the sun, both when 
rising and setting, vs. 438—463. Cf. Aratus, vs. 87, sq., and Phn. 18, 35, 78.— 
Condet in undas, cf. on v. 442. 

439. Seguuntur, ' attend,' Con. 

441. Nascentem maculis variaverii ortum, ' shall variegate with spots the 
beginning of his rising '^jn-imum oriens maculis infectus erit, Wr. 

442. Conditus in nubem. Condo is naturally constructed here, as in v. 438, 
as a verb of motion, since it means strictly not ' to hide,' but ' to throw to- 
gether,' Con. ; see in Lex. II. (/?), and Gr. § 225, IV. — Medioque refugerit orbe, 
' and shall retire,' or ' shrink from sight in respect to the middle of his disc,' 
1. e. shall appear concave, only the outer edge being bright, while the centre 
is coverd with clouds. Cf. bTrdre koiIos hiSdiievo; -KEpiri/.hj^ Aratus, v. 96, and 
concavus oriens, (i. e. sol) plavias praedicit, Plin. 18, 35, 78, 5"., Wr., Forb.; 
or, ' shall recede from the middle of his disc ' to the circumference, Con. 

443. Suspecti tibi sint imbres, i. e. tunc jure suspiceris imbres futures. Forb. 
— Urget, intransitive, for imminet, instat or ingruit, Forb., ' threatens,' ' im- 
pends,' ' approaches.' — Ab alto, 'from on high,' ' from the high heaven.' Cf. 
on V. 324, Wr., Forb. 

445. But when, at the approach of dawn, the rays of the sun burst forth 
separately among the dense clouds, or when the light of the early morning is 
pale, then hail-storms may be expected. Br. — Sub lucem, ' toward sun-rise,' 
'just before sun-rise'; see in Lex. sub, II. B. 1., and Gr. § 235, (2), E. 6. 

446. Diversi, ' in different directions,' ' separate,' ' scattered,' Forb., K. — 
Sese rumpent=erumpent, ' shall break forth.' Forb. 

447. This verse is imitated from Hom. II. 11, 1 ; Od. 5, 1 : 'Hwj 6' Ik ?.i^io}v 
ira^ ayavov Tiduivoio "n.pvvTo. — Croceum. This epithet, according to Voss, 
does not refer (as Keightly supposes), to the yellow or orange color of the 
eastern part of the horizon before sunrise, but is used for the same reason 
that in Homer all the goddesses are clothed with purple or saffron garments; 
those colors being the most precious known to the ancients. Cf. 'Hwj KpoKo- 
■neirXos, Hom. II. 8, 1, ' saffron-veiled Aurora.' This verse is repeated A. 4, 
585; 9, 460. 

448. If ale, cf. on v. 360. Wr., Forb. 

449. Tarn mulia, ' so very much, '=««»« plurimo, Wr. — Voss calls attention 
to the imitative harmony of this verse, K., and Bryce says of it, that it is 
onomatapoeic, the words crejntans salit horrida grandohelug admirably adapted 
to express the jumping, pattering character of hail. 



BOOK I. ZnOTES. 217 

450. ZTof , ' this,' probably refers to what goes before, meaning generally the 
sun's significance ; see vs. 438 — 440 : Keightly thinks it points to what follows ; 
what I am about to tell you. — Etiam magis prqfuerit. Aratus saj^s, v. 158, 
the signs in the evening are more to be relied on than those in the morning. 
Forb., K. —Decedit, scil. sol, ' is going down ' ; see in Lex. decedo, I. B. 3, b.— 
Olympo emenso, ' the heavens having been traversed by it,' ' having traversed,' 
e'c. 

451. After nam understand turn, at evening. Con. 

452. Errnre, ' moving fitfully about.' 

453. Euros may mean ' Avind ' in general, but the south-east wind was 
usually accompanied with heavy rain, and was on that account very much 
disliked both by the Greeks and Romans. Forb. 

454. Sin maculae rutilo iffni, alluding to the dark and the fiery clouds. — 
Immiscerier, see Gr. § 322, 6. 

456. Fervere, see in Lex. — No7i ilia, etc. The meaning is, Let no one at 
such a time venture out to sea. For the sake of giving greater animation 
the poet makes the caution particular and personal instead of general. Cf. G. 
2, 315. Non for ne, see in Lex. (p). — Me vioneai convellere, Gr.§ 218, E. 2, & 
273, 2, & (e). — Per altum, ' over,' or ' on the high sea.' 

457. Moneaf, 'tell,' 'urge.' — Funein, the rope by which the vessel was 
held. Forb., K. — Convellere funem, 'to pluck away the cable,' 'unmoor.' 

458. If the sun is clear at morning and evening. — Condetque relatum, ' and 
buries it' (i. e. ' ends,' ' closes it ') 'after he has brought it back.' K. 

460. Claro, ' making clear ' ; see in Lex. clarits, I. 1, b. 

461. In fine, the sun will teU what weather the evening will bring, etc. 
According to Gell. 13, 11, and Macrob. Sat. 1, 7, nescis, quid vesper sei-us vehat, 
was a Roman proverb. Forb. — Unde, etc. i. e. a qua parte caeli venturus sit 
ventus, qui agat nubes ita ut serenum sit caelum. Wr., Con., ' from what quarter 
of the heaven the wind shall come which wUl chase away the clouds so that 
the sky may be clear.' — Serenas, see in Lex. 

462. Quid cogitet Auster. The south wind is here pei'sonified. Cf. Quodcun.> 
que minabitur Eurus, Hor. Od. 1, 28, 25 : Aujidus . . . diluviem meditatur agris, 
Id. Od. 4, 15, 25, sq. H., Fo7'b. — Humidus, ' moist,' i. e. ' bringing rain.' 

463. Falsum, i. e. fallentem, decipientem. H., Forb. 

464. Ille etiam, etc. Here commences the digression leading to a descrip- 
tion (vs. 466 — 514) of the prodigies which followed the death of Julius Caesar 
and portended the civil war which then ensued. — Caecos, ' secret' 'dark.' 

465. FrrtM(?e7n, ' fraud,' i. e. ' treachery ' of consph'ators. H. — Tumescere, 
* are rising,' ' are swelling.' The metaphor is taken from the sea, H., Forb. 

466. Ille etiam, etc. It would seem from the prodigies about to be enu- 
merated, that in the year of Caesar's death there were volcanic eruptions and 
earthquakes similar to those which devastated Calabria in 1783, and which 
caused obscurity in the atmosphere of the whole of Europe for the greater 
part of that year. Modern astronomers, Wunderlich tells us, assert that there 
was an eclipse of the sun in the November of the year that Caesar was slain, 
but an eclipse alone would not account for the effects narrated not only by 

19 



218 



BOOK I. NOTES. 



poets but by historians; cf. Hor. Ocl. 1, 2; Ov. Met. 15, 782, sq.; Tibull, 2, 5, 
71; Dio. Cass. 45, 17; Plutarch Jul. Caes. 69. K. — Mlseratus Romam, 'com- 
passionated Rome,' i. e. by giving warning of the civil wars to come. H. 

467. Obscura ferrugine, ' with a dusky ferruginous hue', i. e. with a dusky 
atmosphere of the color oi feri^yo. According to Nonius this color was iron- 
grey: it was often used in speaking of things pertaining to the lower Avorld 
meaning dark, dusky, murkj'^; also to denote the violet hue of the hyacinth, 
cf. G. 4, 183. Forh.^K. 

468. Impia saecula, ' the impious race,' living at the time of Caesar's mur- 
der: like mortalia saeda in Lucretius. Con. 

469. Quamqua?n, ' although,' it was not the sun alone which gave warn- 
ing. Con. — Tellus; by earthquakes, vs. 475, 479. Con. — Aequairt ponti] cf. on 
V. 246. 

470. Ohscenae^ 'ill boding,' see in Lex. I. — Importunae, 'unseasonable,' 
and hence, ' of ill omen,' ' inauspicious,' synonymous with obscenae ; volucres, 
quae in alienum seu non opportunum tempus ruebant. Serv., Forb. Compare 
Shakspeare, Jul. C. 1, 3; "And yesterday the bird of night did sit, even at 
noon-day, upon the market place, liooting and shrieking." Con. 

471. Cydojywn in ar/ros. Homer says that the Cyclops dwelt on the Avest- 
ern shore of Sicily; a later age represents them as living, with Vulcan, in the 
caverns of Aetna, or on the Aeolian Isles, Voss., Forb.; see Aetna, in Lex. 

472. Undantem, 'waving,' or 'surging,' refers to the lava. Con. — Ruptis 
fm^nadbus, to be construed with effervere. The crater of Aetna was called 
fotmax, since the whole mountain was considered as the workshop of Vulcan 
and the Cyclops. Forb. 

473. Liquefada saxa, referring to the lava, which on cooling hardens into 
stone. K 

474. Armorum sordtum, etc. The Roman gari'ison stationed in Germany, 
on the banks of the Rhine, was said to have seen an army of foot soldiers and 
horsemen fighting in the air, and to have heard the sound of their trumpets. 
The origin of this belief is to be found in the appearance of the northern 
lights. H., Forb. Cf. "the noise of battle hurtles in the air," Shakspeare, 
Jul. C. 2, 2, Con. — Germanin, i. e. the Roman garrisons on the Rhine, Con. 

475. Imolitis niotibus. The belief of the ancients that earthquakes took 
place in the Alps from time to time, (Plin. 2, 80), is confinued by modern ex- 
perience, though Heync suggests that avalanches may have been mistaken 
for them. Con. 

476. Vox quoque, etc. This prodigy occurred also before the city was taken 
by the Gauls. K. — Lucos shows that the voice was that of a deity. Con. — 
Per lucos vulgo, ' every where through the groves,' i. e. thi-ough many groves. 
Wr., Forb. 

477. Simulacra, 'shades' of the dead; from Lucr. 1, 124. H. — Modis for 
in modum, Forb. 

478. Sid), see in Lex. IL B. 1. — Obscurum, see in Lex. under obscurus, L— 
Pecudesgue locutae. This prodigy is commonly related of oxen. Cf. vocales 
boves, Tibull. 2, 5, 78. H., Forb. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 219 

479. Infanduni cnlls attention to the peculiar horror of the portent last 
named, Con. See Gr, \ 205, R. 10.— SisUrnt, 'stand still,' see in Lex. II. B. 2. 
The cause is given in ttrrae dehiscunf, as the earth shaken down by the earth- 
quakes filled and dammed up the streams, ff. 

480. lUacrimat tempUs^ i. e. in temjMs. Forb. — Ebw^, aeraque, i. e. the 
statues of the gods, made of ivory and brass. Because drops collected on 
them when the air was moist they were said illacrimare and sudare. H. 

481. Uimsual overflows of rivers were accounted prodigies. Foi^b. 

482. Flwviorum rex. The Po is so styled as being the largest river of 
Italy, Wr. Fluviorum^ see Metrical Key. 

484. Tristibus extis, etc. ' the fibres did not fail to appear threatening in the 
inauspicious entrails.' The ancients derived auguries of the future from the 
appearance of the exta of the victim. K. Fibrae, according to Varro, L. L. 
5, 79, and Serv. on v. 120, A. 6, 599; 10, 176, are the extremities of the liver; 
what the point to be observed with regard to them was, does not appear. 
Coti. — Apparere and manare depend upon cessavit. 

485. Puteis manare cruor, as if there were springs of blood. Con. — Cessavit, 
cf. on E. 1, 59. — Et^ scil. nan cessarunt. Wr. — Altae per noctem, etc. It was 
deemed a bad omen to have wolves come even so near to a city that their 
howling could be heard within it. Forb. Wolves entering Rome are several 
times mentioned in Livy as portents. Con. — Altae m'bes, of cities in an ele- 
vated situation, with special reference to Eome, standing upon seven hills. 
Ffrrb. 

487. Non alias, ' at no other time,' ' never,' see in Lex. alias, 1, g, under 
alius. — Caelo sereno. Lightning in a clear sky was considered a prodigy. 
Furb. 

488. Cometae. The Romans believed, (as some persons have done in 
modern times), that comets portended wars and other calamities. It may be, 
as Voss suggests, that by cometae, meteors are here meant, as comets do not 
usually appear in numbers. Forb., K. 

489. Ergo, 'therefore,' i. e. as foreshadowed by these portents. Cb«. — 
Paribus telis, because the army on each side was composed of Romans. 
C?. infestisque obvia siynis si(jna, pares aquilas, et pila minantia pilis, Lucan. 
1, 7. //. 

490. Iterum qualifies concurrere, H., K. & Con., the sense being, as Con. 
says. The issue of all was a second civil war. This seems more natural than to 
connect z^crw/n with vtrfej'e and then to explain with Wr. as follows: Phillipi 
was a city of Thrace, or of Macedonia on the borders of Thrace, while Phar- 
salia, where was fought the other battle to which allusion is here made, 
was in Thessaly, (see Pharsalia in Lex.); under the name of Macedonia (and 
also of Emaihia, a part of Macedon, for the whole), the ancients sometimes 
included not only Macedon, but Thessaly, Epirus, and a part of Thrace, 
as if all constituting but one province; and hence the poet says, that Phi- 
lippi, a city of Emathia as above defined, saw two battles between the 
Romans, instead of saying that Elmathia itself was a witness to them both. 



220 BOOK I. NOTES. 

as embracing within its limits both the cities where those battles were 
fought. Wr., Lade. 

491. Nee fuit indignum snperis=:nec d'ds indiynum visum est, ' it did not 
seem to the gods unworthy of our crime,' i. e. too severe a punishment for 
our cruelty towards Caesar. Toss. According to Heyne the meaning is, nee 
diis iniquum est, i. e. diis placuit. Cf. Cul pulchrum fuit in medios dormire 
dies, Hor. 1, Ep. 2, 39. Con. 

492. Emathiam. Eraathia, as a district of Macedonia, did not include 
within its limits either Philippi or Pharsalia, but as here used it embraces 
both; see on v. 490; and Haemi camjws has here a like latitude of signi- 
fication. 

493. Scilicet et tempus veniet, larai bniTov koI otov, ' yes, and the time will 
cQme,' 'and doubtless the time will come,' Jahn, Wr., Fori., Con. But Heyne 
and Wakefield connects scilicet with what precedes. 

494. Terram molitus aratro ; cf. ferro molirier arva, Lucr. 5, 932, i. e. fer- 
tere, H., Forb. 

495. Pila is emphatic, as denoting the well-known weapons of the Roman 
legions. K. 

496. Inanes is emphatic, as the hollowness would affect the sound, at the 
same time that it reminds us that the heads which wore the helmets have 
long since mouldered away. Con., H. 

497. Grandia. It was a common opinion among the ancients that the hu- 
man race from age to age was constantly degenerating in strength and size. 
Forb. In the 12th Aeneid the poet represents Turnus throwing a stone of 
such a size that twelve such men as lived in his time could hardly lift from 
the ground. M. Cf. in Walter Scott's Lady of the Lake, Canto 5: 

" When each, his utmost strength had shown. 

The Douglas rent an earth-fast stone 

From its deep bed, then heaved it high. 

And sent the fragment through the sky, 

A rood beyond the farthest mark ; — 

And still in Stirling's royal park, 

The grey-hak'd sires, who know the past, 

To strangers point the Douglas-cast, 

And moralize on the decay 

Of Scottish strength in modern day." 

498. Di patrii (et) Indigetes, etc. A prayer for the preservation of Au- 
gustus Caesar. Two classes of gods are meant hy patrii and indigetes ; the 
former, 'the gods of one's forefathers,' (Tr-orpwoi, iyxi^pioi, ro-niKoi,) especially 
the Lares and Penates, are opposed to those deities whose worship the Romans 
borrowed from foreign nations. The Indigetes are Roman heroes deified. 
The poet names one of each class, Vesta belonging to the former. Cf. Ov. 
Met. 15, 861, sq. : Di, precor, Aeneae comites, qidbus ensis et ignis cesserunt, 
(i. e. dii patrii, Penates et Vesta), digue Indigetes, genitorque Quirine, etc. Wr. 
Forb. — Vestaque viater, cf. on v. 163. 



BOOK I. NOTES. 221 

499. Tuscum Tiberim. The Tiber was called ' Tuscan,' because it rose in 
Etruria, in tlie Apennines. Thus Ovid, A. A. 3, 386, uses Tuscum amnem, 
and Hon Od. 3, 7, 28, Tuscum alveum, of the Tiber. Forb. — Palatia. Augus- 
tus Caesar had his residence on the Palatine hill, where also Eomulus had 
resided.* Foi-b. 

500. Saltern, ' at least,' as the gods had taken away Julius Caesar. — Everso 
saeclo, ' this ruined age.' — Juvenem. Octavianus was at this time about 27 
years old. See Juvenis in Lex. 

501. Ne prohibete juvenem succurrere, Gr. § 272, E. 6. — Jam pridem, ' long 
since.' 

502. Luimus perjuna, etc. The ancients believed that the sins of ances- 
tors were to be atoned for by their descendants : hence the poet represents the 
Eomans as suffering for the crimes committed by their ancestors, the Trojans. 
The crime of Laomedan, king of Troy, to which he alludes, consisted in de- 
frauding Apollo and Neptune of the reward which he had promised them for 
building the walls of that city, and also Hercules of what he had promised 
him for rescuing Hesione. JI., Wr., Forb. 

503. Gaeli regia ' the court of heaven.' 

604. Inridet te nobis. The meaning is, that the gods have long been de- 
sirous of associating him with their number. Wr., Forb. — Queritur (te) homi- 
num curare triumphos, 'complains that jou. concern yourself with human 
triumphs.' Augustus had not yet celebrated a triumph ; and Forb. under- 
stands hominum curare triumplios as equivalent, by poetic flatteiy, to inter 
homines vivere, as if to live and to triumph were the same thing with Octa- 
vianus. 

505. Quijype assigns the reason why the gods grudge Caesar to the Eomans. 
Con. — Ubi, for apud qiios, sciLhomines}!., Forb. ; see ubi, II. B. in Lex. — Versum, 
i. e. C(wj/msmj?i, ' confounded.' — Tot bella j^er orbem. The time here referred 
to, and in vs. 509 — 511, is a. u. c. 717, H., when war had again broken out 
betAveen Octavianus and Sextus Pompey; when Antony was on his march 
against the Parthians, and when Agrippa had just ci'ossed the Ehine and 
concluded the German war: but Forb. believes that a year later, B. C. 36, is 
intended. Br. 

506. Fades, ' aspects,' ' forms.' — Aratro, the dative ; cf. honos erit huic quo- 
que porno, E. 2, 53. Con. 

507. Dignus, ' due,' ' suitable.' — Abductis, ' taken away,' to serve as sol- 
diers. K. — Here and in the two following lines the subject of the Georgics is 
kept before the eye. Forb., Con. 

508. Conflantur in, ' are melted into,' i. e. are melted down and then beaten 
into. 

509. Eujyfirates, i. e. the Parthians and other nations dwelling on the banks 
of the Euphrates, and against whom Antony was then waging war. Wr., Forb. 
— Germania; cf. on E. 1, 63, and on v. 505. 

510. Vicinae urbes, i.e. of Italy, especially of Etruria, where dissensions 
broke out between the different cities. Wr., Forb. — Ruptis inter se legibuSy 

19* 



222 BOOK I. NOTES. 

' breaking the laws wliicli had bound them together,' i. e. either the laws of 
civil society, Con., or positive treaties of peace. 

511. Arma ferunt, i. e, ' are in arms.' Con. 

512. The poet illustrates the commotions in the world by a simile taken 
from the chariot races of the Circus. H., K. — Carceribus. The carceres were 
a range of stalls at the end of the Circus, with gates of open wood-work, 
which were opened simultaneously to allow the chariots to start. Con. 

513. Addunt in spatia. Both the true reading and interpretation are here 
uncertain. Besides the reading in the text some manuscripts have addunt se 
in spatia, some addunt spatio or in spatia. Wagner suggests addunt se spatio, 
meaning, ' they increase their speed with the course,' i. e. the further they 
go the faster they run. Heyne, Forcellinus, Jacobs, Forb., K., and Con. sup- 
ply se, and explain addunt se in spatia by, ' they give themselves to the 
course,' ' rush along the course.' This seems better than the explanation 
of Voss, approved by Ladewig, Freund and Klotz, viz. addunt in spatia, 
i. e. spatia in spatia, or spatiis, addunt, ' they add space to space,' and thus 
hasten through the course. See in Lex. addo, 3. — Spatia is to be understood 
of the seven circuits which the chariots were to make. H. — Retinacula, ' the 
reins.' K. 

514. Audit, see in Lex. audio, 4. Currus, i. e. equi, see currus, II. 2, in 
Lex. 



p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 
LIBER SECUNDUS. 

ARGUMENT. 

I. Subject of the Second Book, and invocation of Bacchus, vs. 1 — 8. 

II. Trees and plants — their modes of propagation : 

1. Natural mode (10 — 21), viz. spontaneous growth (10 — 13): by seed 
(14—16): from root of parent trunk (17—19). 

2. Artificial mode (22 — 34): viz. by suckers (22, 23): by stocks or sets 
(24,25): by layers (26,27): by cuttings (28, 29): by the trunk cut into 
'lengths' (30, 31): by ingrafting (32—34). 

III. Invocation, and detailed directions as to peculiar kinds of treatment 
necessary for different trees and plants (35 — 82): 

1. Introductory address to husbandmen, and invocation of Maecenas 
(35—46). 

2. Means of improving trees of natural growth (47 — 60). 

3. How to employ artificial means of propagating (61 — 82). 

IV. The differences in trees and plants: 

1. Variety of species (83—108). 

2. Soils suited for different kinds (109—113). 

3. Trees peculiar to certain counti'ies (114 — 135). 

V. Episode in praise of Italy (136 — 176). 

VI. Soils — their nature, capabilities and indices (177 — 258). 

1. Soils suited for the olive (179—183): for the vine (184—194): for cat- 
tle rearing (195 — 202): for corn crops (203 — 211): for almost no production 
(212—216): for any purpose (217—225). 

2. Index to loose or close soil (226—237) : to salt and bitter (238— 247) : to 
the rich and fat (248—250): to the moist (251—253): to the heavy and light 
(254, 255): to the black (255): to the cold (256—258). 

VII. The vine: 

1. Directions for the preparation of the ground and for planting (259 — 
353): trenches (259— 264) : nursery (265— 268): setting of slips (269— 287): 
depth of trenches (288 — 297): miscellaneous cautions (298 — 314): time for 
planting (315— 322): praises of spring (323— 345): manuring and airing of 
young plants (346—353), 



224 BOOK II. NOTES. 

2. General culture and treatment after planting (354 — 419): digging and 
ploughing about the young vines and propping them (354 — 361): pruning 
(362 — 370): hedges (371 — 396): ploughing of vineyard and other operations 
(397—419). 

VIII. Various other trees and plants: — the olive (420 — 425): fruit trees 
(426—428): wild forest trees (429—457). 

IX. Blessings and happiness of a country life (458 — 542). Bryce. 

NOTES ON THE SECOND BOOK OF THE GEORGICS. 

1. Hactenus^ scil. cecini, to be supplied from canam, v. 2. Cf. E. 9, 1. — 
Arvorum culius, etc., referring to the subject of Book I. Cf. G. 1, 1. 

2. Bacclie. Bacchus is naturally invoked at the commencement of this 
Book, as he Avas the god of the vine and of fruit trees generally. — Sikestria 
virgulta^, ' wild shrubs,' i. e. ' forest trees,' such as the elm, poplar, ash, etc., 
which were planted for the future support of the vine. Vlrgultam means 
properly ' a shrubbery,' or ' thicket of brushwood,' but here it signifies the 
virgulae, ' rods ' or ' settings,' grown up to be young trees. 

3. Prolem olivae, 'the offspring,' i. e. ' the fruit, of the olive tree.' Observe 
how the poet has indicated the subjects he proposes to treat of in this Book, 
without expi-essly naming either of them, viz., the vine by Bacchus, fruit- 
bearing trees by prolem olivae, and the non-fruit bearing by silvestria virgulta. 
Br. — Tarde cresceniis. The olive was of slow growth, Avhether propagated 
from seed or from slips. Pliny quotes a saying of Hesiod to the effect that no 
man who planted an olive lived to gatlier its fiiiit. 

4. The invocation (vs. 4 — 8). — Hue, scil. veni, from v. 7. — Pater. This 
term of honor (cf. pater D. in Lex.), was very frequently applied to Bacchus, 
and was bestowed not on account of his appearance, as he was usually re- 
presented in the form of a beaiitiful youth, but because of the benefits which 
he was supposed to have conferred on man, with the kindness of a father. — 
Lenaee, from Xtjvd';, ' a wine-press.' — Hie. Virgil fancies himself suiTOunded 
by the gifts of autumn, of which he is going to sing. Con. 

5. Tibi, 'for thee,' i. e. 'through thy favor,' 'by thee.' Cf. on G. 1, 14. — 
Pampineo auctumno, ' with the viny autumn,' i. e. Avith the grapes which au- 
tumn is yielding. K. — Gravidus, cf. on fultiis, E. 6, 53. 

6. Floret, ' blooms,' in allusion to the various hues of the grapes and other 
fruits. 2C, Voss. — Vindemia, '■ t\\Q vintage,' 'the gathered grapes,' i. e. their 
expressed juice. K. — Plenia labris, ' in the full vessels ' : the lahra were the 
vessels which received the liquor as it ran from the press. H., K. 

7. Hue, pater, etc. Gr. § 324, 16. — Nudata, etc. The poet represents Bac- 
chus and himself as entering the wine-press together, and treading out the 
grapes. In the East, (see Isaiah 63, 1 — 3), and in Greece and Italy, the grapes 
were trodden out by men with bare feet. The practice still prevails in many 
parts of the south of Europe. K. 



BOOK II. NOTES. 225 

8. Dereptis cothiirnis, 'stripping off your buskins.' Bacchus was com- 
monly represented as wearing buskins : see Bacchus in Lex. 

9. Trees are propagated in two ways — by the means provided by nature 
(10 — 21): by artificial means (22 — 34). Of the natural method there are three 
varieties ;'l. Spontaneous production (10 — 13): 2. The dropping of the seed 
by the trees themselves (14 — 16): 3. The growth of suckers (17 — 19). — Prin- 
cipio, ' first,' ' in the first place.' — Arhwibus creandis, ' for producing trees,' 
'for the production of trees.' Cf. on G. ], 3. — Natwa, 'the means provided 
by nature,' ' the law.' 

10. Virgil is supposed by Heyne and others to refer here to production by 
invisible as distinguished from visible seeds, agreeably to a distinction made 
by Varro, 1, 40 ; but from v. 49, it seems as if he believed in strictly sponta- 
neous generation, (hn. — Nullis hominum, Gr. § 212, E. 2, (5). — Ipsae^ 'of them- 
selves,' i. e. without any seed. Cf. on E. 8, 106. 

11. Veniuni, cf. on G. 1, 54. — Late qualifies tenent=tegunt, implent. 

12. Curva, by calling attention to the bends of the river, shows that the 
trees grow along its side. Coii. — Siler, Gr. § 60, 2. 

13. Pqpulus. Observe the quantity and gender (fern.) of this word when 
meaning 'the poplar-tree,' as distinguished from populus, (masc.) 'a people.' 
Br. — Glauca, etc., 'the hoary willows with bluish-green leaves.' This is a 
beautiful description of the common willow : the leaves are of a bluish green, 
and the under side of them is covered with a white down. 3L — Salicta for 
salices. Cf. E. 1, 55. 

14. Pars — surgunt, Gr. § 209, E. 11. — Posito de semine, ' from fallen seed,' 
from seed deposited casually, dropping from trees. Con, 

15. Nemorum, etc. The order is, neviorumque maxima aesculus, quae Jovi 
frondet. Serv. Nemorum maxima, ' the largest of grove-trees,' nemorum being 
equivalent to arborum nemoralium, Wr. Jovi, ' for Jupiter,' ' in honor of Jupi- 
ter,' being, like other oaks, sacred to him. 

16. Habitae oracula guercus, ' the oaks regarded as oracles,' referring to the 
oaks of Dodona, which were reputed to give oracles, either by means of the 
notes of pigeons sitting upon their branches, or by the murmuring of the 
leaves when stirred by the wind. Cf. quercus, oracula prima, Ov. Am. 3, 
10, 9. 

17. Pullulai ab radlce: propagation by natural suckers, called puUi by 
Cato, E. E. 51, puUuU by Pliny 17, 10, 12. Con.—Silva, cf on G. 1, 76. 

18. Cerasis, see in Lex. But the wild cherry tree was doubtless found 
in Italy before the time of Lucullus. — Etiam Parnasia laurus, etc. Observe 
how the poet, in making this enumeration, varies the form of expression, 
instead of saying, ut cerasis, ulmis et lauro. Parnasia. The finest bay trees 
grew on Mount Parnassus, according to Pliny. M. See also laurus and Par- 
nasus in Lex. 

19. Parva — ingenti, cf. on G. 1, 366. Se subjicit, cf. on E. 10, 74. 

20. Primum, ' at first,' ' in the first instance,' before men had tried experi- 
ments. Con. — His, scil. modis. — Genus, 'kind.' 



226 BOOK II. NOTES. 

21. Nemorumque sacrorum^ does not denote a botanical, but merely a poet- 
ical division. Con. 

22. Sunt alii, soil. modi. These artificial modes of propagating trees are 
six in number: 1. Avulsio, (23, 24), i. e. tearing off suckers, and planting 
them in trenches. 2. Infussio, (24, 25), i. e. covering in the earth sets, with 
the ends either slit across in four {quadrifidas), or pointed. 3. Propagatio, 
(26, 27), i. e. by layers 4. Surctdaiio, (28, 29), i. e. planting in the earth a 
twig or shoot taken from the topmost boughs 5. Consitio, (30, 31), i. e. cut- 
ting up the stem itself into 'lengths,' and then planting the parts either 
whole or cleft. 6. Insitio, (32 — 34), i. e. ingrafting. Br. — Via sibi reperit usus, 
' experience has found out for itself by method,' i. e. by pursuing a regular 
course: via=:arte, ratione, 'art,' 'method,' Serv., H., Wr.: but Voss, who 
is followed by Forb., personifies nsus, and explains via by 'on her way,' 'in 
her progress.' 

23. Tenero is not for teneras, but expresses the violence done to the tree 
by the artificial separation, thus contrasting it with natural propagation by 
suckers, vs. 17 — 19. Con. 

24. Deposuit, cf. on G, 1, 49. — Sulcis=^/bssis, Serv.; see in Lex. sulcus, II. 
B. 1. — Stirpes, sudas and vallos all refer to the same thing, i. e. the sets ; being 
either the stock of the tree, or pieces cut from the branches. 

25. Acuta robore, 'the trunk' or 'body of the stake being sharpened,' 
* made pointed,' i. e. at one end. 

26. Silvarum^arhorum, see silva, B. 2 in Lex. — Presses, i. e. depresses in 
terram, Wr. — The Roman agi-icultural writers use the term propagatio exclu- 
sively in the sense of raising by layers. V. The common mode of doing this, 
as described by Columella, was to dig a trench and then to bend down into 
it a branch of the ti-ee, leaving two or three buds on the end of the branch, 
which was to appear above the ground to form the tree, and rubbing off all 
the other buds except four at the bottom of the trench, near the lowest part 
of the bow {arcus) of the depressed branch, which were left to strike roots. 
In the third year the branch might be separated from the parent tree. 

27. Viva, ' living,' ' live,' because not separated from the parent stem. — 
Sua terra, ' in their own soil,' i. e. in the soil in which they themselves, (the 
parent trees), are growing. — Plantaria, see 2^l<^ntaris in Lex. 

28. Summum cacumen, ' the highest point,' i. e. ' the topmost boughs ' 
of the tree. 

29. This is the surculaiio process, i. e. the cutting of a 'slip' or 'set' from 
the top of a tree or branch. Br. — Ref evens, ' restoring,' i. e. to its native earth. 
Forb., Con. It may however be translated ' bringing back,' as the pruner may 
be regarded as going forth to prune the trees and bringing back the cuttings 
with him. Wch. 

30. Caudicibus seciis, ' the stocks being cut.' The root and branches were 
separated from the stem of the tree, which was then cut into pieces or 
'lengths,' and these were usually split up before planting. Br. — Mirabile dictu, 
Gr, § 276, III. 



BOOK II. NOTES. 227 

31. Sicco Uffno, ' the dry wood.' Siccus seems to be here used literally, 
the cleft pieces of the stem being considered as actually, or at least appar- 
ently, sapless : hence the expression mirabile dictu. Pliny tells us that olive- 
wood wrought and made into hinges for doors has been known to sprout 
when left. some time without being moved. K. But Voss understands the 
trunk to be termed dry in comparison with the root and branches, which 
contain more sap. — Radix oleagina is mentioned as a specimen of the several 
kinds of trees which are grown in this manner. Con. Myrtles and mulberries 
were propagated in the same way. 

32. Impune, ' without injury,' to the tree. Forh. 

33. Vertere, scil. se, in (ramos) alterius. — Mutatam, ' changing its na- 
ture.' K. 

34. Pirum is the subject of ye7'?'e. — Prunis lapidosa rnbescere corna^ 'the 
stony cornel cherries redden on the plum trees,' i. e. the cornel cherry is 
grafted on the plum. It does not appear what was the object in thus grafting 
upon a fruit-bearing tree this cherry, which Homer, Od. 5, 241, and Colu- 
mella, 10, 15, describe as only food for swine, and of which Virgil himself 
says, A. 3, 649, victuvi infelicem dare : but the epithet lapidosa shows that 
coma is not put for cornos. and rubescere would be inapplicable to a change 
from the redder fruit to the less i-ed, — the cornel cherries being of a beautiful 
red color. Columella also says that these cherries were used for olives. The 
explanation here given is that of Martyn, Jahn, Forb., Lade., and Con. But 
Heyne, Voss, Wch., Wr., K. and V. hold that the poet is speaking of grafting 
plums on cornel trees ; that coma is put for cornos^ the fruit for the tree, like 
poma for pomi^ v. 426, and that lapidosa is applied to the tree on account of the 
nature of its fruit, as having a large stone. 

35. Qwoj-e, ' wherefore,' since art can do so much. K. — Generatim, 'ac- 
cording to their kinds,' as required by the different kinds of plants. Genera- 
iim is a Lucretian woi'd. Cf. also, for this and the following lines ; Iiide aliam 
atqne aliam culturam dulcis agelli tentabant, fructusque feros mansuescere terra 
cernebant indulgendo blandeqve colendo. Lucr. 5, 1367. Con. 

37. iVew, after a simple imperative, without ne or ut preceding, is found also 
in A. 9, 235. Forb. — Segues jaceant, ' lie idle,' ' lie unproductive,' cf. on G. 1, 
72. — An encouragement is added by the examples of the mountains Ismarus 
and Taburnus, the former of which produced excellent wine, and the latter 
was very fruitful in olives. — Juvat Ismara — Tahurnum. This sentence is pa- 
renthetic. Juvai, ' it is delightful ' ; or, ' it is of use.' 

38. Taburnum. Taburnus was a mountain on the confines of Samnium, 
Campania and Apulia. Forb. 

39. Z7na, scil. mecum, decurre, ' run through with me,' i. e. ' accompany me 
in.' The metaphor is taken from navigation. See decurro II. A. (/?). in Lex. 

40. decus, etc., i. e. Avhose friendship I deem my greatest glory. Cf. 
Maecenas . . . o et praesidium et duke decus meum, Hor. Od. 1, 1, 2, and Mae- 
cenas, mearam grande decus columenque rerum, etc. Id. Od. 2, 17, 4. 

41. Maecenas, cf. on G. 1, 2. — Pelago (dative) patenti da vela, scil. una 
mecum, ' spread the sails with me to the open sea,' i. e. ' set sail with me on 



228 



BOOK II. NOTES. 



the open sea,' or, laying aside the metaphor, assist me in entering upon the 
boundless subject which lies open before me. By j^elagus reference is made 
to the vastness of the subject of which the poet is to treat. 

42. Cuncta, ' the w-hole subject.' Co7i. 

43. There is here an imitation of Homer's II. 2, 488. Macrobius, Sat. 6, 3, 
says that Hostius, a contemporary of Julius Caesar, had already made a 
translation of the passage, from which he quotes, non si mild linguae centum 
atque ora sient totidem vocesgue Uquatae. Con. — Non, scil. optem amplecti. 

44. Primi liioris oram=primam liioris Oram, ' the first part of the edge,' 
etc., * the very edge of the shore.' — Lege, ' coast along.' Cf. on E. 8, 7. The 
poet indicates that he does not intend to go into his subject at large and in 
detail, but only to treat cursorily of its principal topics. 

45. In manibus, like h x^9°i-^t ' close at hand,' implying that the argument 
of this didactic poem, which treats of plain realities, of the earth and the 
fields, is easy to be perceived and comprehended, and therefore requires no 
long circumlocution or preamble to introduce it. — Hie almosts seems to imply 
an intention of doing so one day. Con. — Ficto carmine, i. e. a poem on a 
mythic subject, an epic or heroic poem. 

46. Exorsa=exordia ; see exorsus under exordior in Lex. 

47. The poet here returns to the threefold division of trees naturally pro- 
duced (cf. on V. 9), each of which kinds, he says, may be improved by culti- 
vation. Con. — In luminis oras, ' into the regions of light.' This phrase is never 
iised, says Forb., except in reference to the birth of animals or the bursting 
forth of plants. Br. Compare Gray's " warm precincts of the cheerful day.V 
Con. ; see ora, I. B. in Lex. 

48. Laetas, ' luxuriant,' Br. ; cf. on G. 1, 1. 

49. Solo natura subest, ' there is latent (sub) in the soil a natural power.' 
Fo7'b. Natura, ' natural energy,' or ' power,' i. e. for the prodiiction of those 
trees. Cf. nam penitus jyrorsum latet haec natura subestque, Lucr. 3, 273. 

50. Inserat, ' engraft,' i. e. with cuttings from other trees. Co7i. — Mutata, 
'removed,' 'transplanted.' Forb. That simple transplantation improves a 
tree is stated by Palladius, 12, 7, and other rural writers. Con. But Wch. 
and Wr. explain mutata as meaning changed by engrafting, ' engrafted.' — 
Subaciis, ' well prepared,' ' well dug.' 

51. Exuerint, see Gr. § 259, E. 1, (5). — Animum=naturam. H., see in Lex. 
IL 1, b. — Cultu frequenti, 'constant cultivation.' 

52. Artes, ' artificial cultm-e,' ' kinds of culture.' 

53. Sterilis, scil. arbor, which occurs in v. 57, though it is implied in what 
has preceded. He is referring to suckers which spring up from the roots 
of the tree. — Stirpibus ab imis ; cf. ab radice, v. 17. 

54. Hoc faciei, i. e. exuet silvestrem animum. — Vacuos, ' open.' — Digesta, 
* planted out in regular order,' ordine disposita, Br. 

55. Nunc, ' now,' i. e. in its natural state. Con. 

56. Crescentique adimunt, etc' ' and rob it, as it grows up, of its fruit, and 
dry it up when it does bear,' i. e. prevent it from bearing fruit, or if it does 
bear, dry up the tree and so wither the fruit. 



BOOK IT. NOTES. 229 

57. Jam^ 'again,' 'moreover.' This use of jam, nearly in the sense of 
praeterea, is not uncommon. Con. — Seminibus jactis=^j)Osito semine, v. 15. It 
does not relate to sowing by the hand. Con. 

58. Venii=provenit, cf. on G. 1, 54. — Seris nejMibus, cf. E. 9, 50, and on 
V. 294; 'distant' or 'unborn generations of men.' 

59. Po?««, ' the fruit,' generally. — (?6^ito, 'forgetting,' i.e. being deprived 
of, losing; cf. on v. 214. 

60. Turpes, 'unsightly,' as being not cultivated. II.; hence, 'poor,' 'sour.' 
— Avibus praedam, because no men will pick them. Con. — Uva for vitis. Serv. 
It appears from Cic. de Sen. 15, 52, and Flin. 17, 10, 10, that vines were raised 
at Eome from grape-seeds. Forb. 

61. Scilicet is explanatory, ' the fact is,' ' in fact.' — Omnibus, scil. arboribus, 
referring not only to trees of natural gi'owth, but to those propagated arti- 
ficially. — Impendendus, Gr. § 274, R. 8, («). 

62. Cogendne in sulcum, i. e. made to stand in the trenches in order: 
formed on the analogy of cogere in ordinem, and giving the notion of training 
and discipline, ' drilled into trenches,' Con. — Malta mercede, ' at great cost,' 
i. e. of labor. 

63. Sed, etc. Some however are propagated better in one way, some in 
another. — Truncis, 'by stems,' or 'truncheons'; cf notes on vs. 30, 31, and 
on V. 22, 5th mode. Gr. § 247, 3. — Propagine, cf. on vs. 26 & 22, 3d mode. 

64. Respondent, ' answer,' i. e. ' succeed,' according to our own idiom, V. — 
SoUdo de robore, ' from the solid wood,' referring to the 2d mode mentioned in 
note on v. 22. — Myrtus, cf. on E. 7, 62. It is here of the 4th declension, 
Gr. § 99. 

65. Plnntis, 'from slips' or 'shoots.' This may include 'sucker?,' vs. 23, 
24, and also the shoots mentioned in the 4th mode in note to v. 22, but is not 
to be confined to the former, as the oak, palm and fir do not produce suckers. 

66. Ilerculeaeque arbos toronae, cf on E. 7, 61. 

67. Chauniique patris, i. e. Jupiter, to whom the oak was sacred; cf. on E. 
9, 13; Chaonli—Dodonaei, Con. — Glandes=quercus. — Palnia. The palm was 
planted in Italy not for its fruit, but for its pliant twigs, which were used for 
making baskets, etc., and for its shade. Forb. 

68. Nascitur, scil. planiis. — Abies. The fir was much used in ship 
building. 

69. In many manuscripts this line reads, Inseritur vero et fetu micis arbu- 
tus horrida, making a hypercatalcctic verse, (cf. on G. 1, 295), but it was coi'- 
rected as given in the text, on the authority of the Medicean and six other 
manuscripts, by Wagner.— iZor?-irf«, 'rough,' 'prickly,' so called from its 
fruit, or, more probably, from its bark. Foi-b. — Nucis fetu, ' with the offspring,' 
i. e. ' with a shoot of the walnut-tree.' Fetu is the abl. — Inserere, like many 
verbs compounded with in, admits a double construction, arbore inserere nu- 
cem and arborem inserere nuce. Forb. 

70. Steriles. The plane trees are called steriles because they bear no 
edible fruit. Forb. — Gessere=gerere solent; cf. on G. 1, 49. So incanuit and 
fregere, below. 

20 



230 BOOK II. NOTES. 

71. Castaneae, scil. Jiore. — Fagus, the nom. pi. after the 4th declension, 
Wr., Forb.^ though the verb which follows it is singular, see Gr. § 209, K. 12, 
note 9, (3). The last syllable may however be long by caesura. Con. 

72. Glandemque sues fregere sub ulmis, i. e. the oak being gi'afted upon the 
elm. Fregere, 'crunch.' — Modern naturalists assert that the grafts here 
named are impossible, and that it is only plants of the same family that can 
be grafted on each other. K. Cf. on this subject Daubeny, 156, 157: " Colu- 
mella asserts that every tree can be grafted upon every other, provided only 
their bark be similar. In proof of this he states, that if a fig-tree be planted 
close enough to an olive, to allow of the extremities of its branches being 
brought into contact with the former, we may cause the olive-branches to 
grow out of the stump of the fig, by sawing off the trunk of the latter at a 
certain height from the ground, splitting with a wedge the part that remains 
standing, and inserting the extremities of the branches into the fissure thus 
occasioned. The latter will by degrees so coalesce with the wood of the fig- 
tree, that they may in four years' time be severed from their parent tree, and 
continue to live as grafts upon the fig. And this same method applies, he 
sa3^s, to every other tree. Pliny too observes, that we see the cherry growing 
upon the willow, the plane upon the laurel, the laurel upon the cherry, and 
fruits of various tints and hues springing at once from the same tree; whilst 
Palladius, in his poem de Jnsiiione, particularises not only these, but various 
other instances in which scions have been grafted upon stocks altogether dif- 
ferent from themselves. And yet all modern authorities concur in assigning 
a very limited range to the capacity of grafting one plant upon another." 

73. Nee modus (est) inserere, etc.,=??ec solemus inserere, etc., ' nor are we 
accustomed to graft and to inoculate in the same mannei',' ' nor are the modes 
of grafting and of inoculation identical ' ; Gr. § 275, III. R. 1, note 1, Cf. on 
G. 1, 213. — Simplex, 'one,' i. e. 'one and the same,' 'identical.' He describes 
the process of inoculation, vs. 74 — 77, and of grafting, vs. 78 — 82. 

75. Tunicas, i. e. the liber or inner bark, R. ; that which is under the 
cortex. Con. 

76. Nodo. Tlie bud, bursting forth from the bark and swelling up like a 
knot, is here called nodus. Wr. — Sinus, 'a cavity,' 'hollow.' — Hue — includunt. 
This expression contains the two ideas o^ motion towards and rest in a place. 

77. Dot ent inolescere, ' teach it to grow to,' ' to unite with,' i. e. ita efficiunt, 
ut inolescat. Forb. 

78. Aut rursum, ' or again ' ; he thus passes to the other mode of propaga- 
tion, namely grafting. — Enodes trunei, ' the trunks free from knots,' ' the 
smooth stems." — Alte=profunde. Serv. 

79. In solidum, scil. lignum. — Feraces jilaniae, 'fruitful slips,' i.e. slips 
from a fruit-bearing ti-ee. 

80. Xec longum tempus (est) et. Ft, like the Greek Kai, is often thus used 
to connect two points of time immediately adjoining: see in Lex. II. 3. 

81. Fxiit, see on G. 1, 330, and in Lex. I. 2. f. — Felicibus=fertilibus. Serv. 

82. Non sua jjoma, ' fruit not its own.' 



BOOK II. NOTES. 231 

83. Of the varieties existing in the several species of plants, vs. 83 — 108. — 
Unum, ' one and the same,' ' single.' 

84. Lotoque. The tree here spoken of is thought by Martyn to be the 
2i2;?/^;A«s or 'jujube tree.' Keightley says of it: The lotus-tree grows on the 
north coast of Africa ; it is described by Theophrastus and Polybius, and is a 
tree of moderate altitude, bearing small fruits, which are sweet, resembling 
the date in flavor. For the use of que see on v. 87. — Idaeis cyparissis. The 
cypress was said to have been brought into Italy from Mount Ida in Crete. 
See on E. 1, 55. Cyparissis is the Greek form, instead of cupressus. 

85. Nee unam in faciem. There are many varieties of olives, of which 
Virgil mentions only three: Cato mentions eight kinds. Columella ten, Macro- 
bius sixteen. Con. 

86. Orchades and radii appear to be so named from their shape. The or- 
chades, (J(>;;^dj), are oblong, the radii are long like a weaver's shuttle. Pausia 
is a kind of olive which requires to be gathered before it is ripe; hence amara 
bacca. Con. 

87. Pomaque. We should have expected pomave, but in excited or em- 
phatic narrative the copulative conjunction is often put for the disjunctive, 
especially when several negative particles have preceded. Forb. — Et Alcinoi 
silvae, ' the orchards of Alcinous ' are the same as the jjoma., unless we sup- 
pose them to convey a still more general designation, ' apples and all Alci- 
nous' orchard trees.' Con. 

88. Ci'usiumiis. The Crttstumia, or as others call them, Crustuviina^ were 
reckonedthe best sort of pears. Jf. ; they were so called from Crustumerium 
or Crustumium, at the conflux of the Allia and Tiber: Serv. says they were 
partly red. Con. — Syriis. Serv. and Pliny say they were black. Con. — Volemis, 
so named, according to Servius, because they were large enough to fill the 
vola, or hollow of the hand ; ' hand-fillers.' Con. 

89. He now enumerates many varieties of the vine. — Arboribus, i. e. the 
trees which supported the vine. — Vindemia=ume. H. — Nostris, 'our,' i. e. the 
Italian. 

90. Palmite. The pahnes is the bearing wood of the vine; Col. 5, 6. Con. 

91. Thasiae. The Thasian wine is mentioned by Pliny, as being in high 
esteem. M. — Mareotides^ scil. uvae, or vites^ the vines being put for their 
fruit. 

92. Hae, 'the former,' Gr. § 207, R. 23, {b).—Habiles, 'proper for,' 
' adapted to.' 

93. Passo, scil. vino^=vino e passis uvis facto. Con. The wine made from 
raisins was called passum^ from the grapes being sj^read out in the sun to dry. 
The manner of making it is described by Columella, lib. 12, c. 39.— Psythia— 
Lageos. These are the names of two Greek vines or grapes, but the meaning 
of the names is not known. — Tenvis. According to Heyne the meaning is 
♦ small,' referring to the size of the clusters and of the grapes : others under- 
stand it to mean a ' light,' ' thin ' wine: Serv. explains it by penetrabile, quae 
cito descendit in venas= subtle,' 'spirituous,' 'intoxicating.' This explanation, 



232 BOOK II. XOTES. 

■which seems to me preferable, is approved by Voss, Forb. and Klotz, and is 
supported by the next line. 

94. Olim, 'hereafter,' 'one day,' i. e. when the wine shall have been 
pressed out from it. Burm., Con.^ or it may mean 'soon,' after it has been 
drunk. Con. 

95. The purpureae are mentioned as a particular kind of grape by Col. 
3, 2 : of the preciae, which Serv. explains by j^fd-ecoquae, ' early-ripe,' there 
were two kinds, distinguished by the size of the grape. Col. 3, 2, 1, Plin. 14, 
2. Con. 

96. Rhaetlca, scil. vitis. Suetonius says that the Ehaetian wine was a 
favorite with Augustus. — Nee, i. e. nee tamen. Forb. — Cellis Falernis. The 
wine cellars are put for the wine itself. The Falernian was the best Italian 
wine, next after the Caecuban. Forb. 

97. Aminaeae. These wines are said, by Aristotle, to have been trans- 
planted by the Aminaeans from Thessaly to Ital}'. — Firmissima vina, ' very 
durable Avines,' which keep good for a long time. Forb. Observe the apposi- 
tion between vites and vina. 

98. Tmolius seems to be here used in imitation of the Greek, like 
Afo-jSjof, XiOf, etc., olvos being implied, Wch., Wr., Forb.-^ others supply mows. — 
Assurgit, cf. E. 6, 66. 

99. Argitisque minor. This is to be connected with sunt et Aminaeae, etc. 
Of this vine there were two kinds, Argitis major and minor, so nained from 
the size of the grapes. 

100. Tantum Jluere, ' in yielding so much juice.' 

101. Bis et mensis, etc. ; drinking did not begin till after the first course, 
when it was commenced by a libation. Con. 

102. Transierim, Gr. § 260, II. R. 4. — Rhodia, scil. vitis. 

103. Species, scil. vitium. 

104. Est numerus, ' is there, a number,' =e«w??ie?'a?'i potent, ' can it be num- 
bered,' or ' told.' — Neque eriim, ' nor indeed.' — Reftrt, ' is it necessary,' ' need 
we.' K. 

105. Aequoris, 'plain,' 'desert.' — Idem, Gr. § 207, R. 27, ('0- 

107. Violentior incidit, ' falls more violent than usual.' 

108. lonii fluctus=jluctus lonii maris. Con. 

109. Of the soils suited to different kinds of trees, vs. 109 — 113, and of the 
trees peculiar to certain countries, vs. 114 — 135. — For the words of this verse 
compare Lucr. 1, 166, ferre omnes omnia possent, where the fact that particu- 
lar places produce particular things is urged to prove that nothing can come 
of nothing: the fact has been mentioned alread}^, G. 1, 50 — 63, where it is 
recognized as connected with the present condition of humanity, just as the 
opposite, omnis feret omnia tellus, E. 4, 39, is a characteristic of the Golden 
Age. Con. 

110. Fluminibus — ^prfZwrfiiMs, ablatives of place, for ad fiumina, ad paludes: 
cf. on E. 7, 66. Forb. The willow appears to grow in the river. Con. 

111. Steriles, see on v. 70. 



BOOK II. NOTES. 233 

112. Litora myrteiis laetissima, instead of myrii solent esse laetissima in litO' 
ribus. H. Cf. G. ,4, 124, and on E. 7, %2.—Apertos suggests the idea of apricos^ 
to which aquilonem et frigora is opposed : he treats soil and climate together, 
as in G. 1, 51, sqq. Con. 

113. Bacchus^ see in Lex. 2, a, 

114. Extremis domitmn cuUoribus orhem—extremas orhis partes cultas. Gul- 
toribus is the dative of the agent. The sentence is closely connected with 
what follows, the sense being, Look at foreign lands, go as far as you will, 
you will find each country has its tree. Con. 

115. Pictos, 'painted,' or 'tattooed.' 

116. Divisae arboribus patriae, ' their countries are divided among trees,' 
i. e. each tree has its allotted country. Con. 

117. Ebenum. If Vivgil meant that ebony was peculiar to India proper, 
Theophrastus was perhaps his authority. Plant. 4, 5 ; but under the name of 
India, Ethiopia was also included. V. — Turea virga Sabaeis. Cf. G. 1, 57. 

119. Acanthi. The acanthus here spoken of is a tree, perhaps the acacia, 
and then baccas would mean 'berries,' or 'seeds ' in the pods: Martyn under- 
stands it of the globules of gum. 

120. Molli lana, referring to the cotton-tree, gossypion or xylon. 

121. Foliis depectant. It was the belief in Virgil's time, and long after, 
that silk, which was brought to Europe from the East, grew on the leaves of 
trees. — Observe the change of construction from the accusative, nemor<i, after 
Q-efei^am, to the subj. with ut. Forb. 

122. Oceana j^ropi-iur is explained by extremi sinus ot'bis, and seems to 
imply the Homeric idea of the ocean as a great stream encircling the outside 
of the world. Con. 

123. Simis, ' bend,' or ' curvature,' referring to the curved eastern shore 
of this remotest part of the eartli. — Aera summum arboris, ' the topmost air 
of the tree,' instead of, the top of the tree where it rises highest in the air. 

124. Jactu, ' by a throw,' ' when shot.' With regard to the height of these 
trees Pliny says, 7, 2, arbores quidem tantae proceritatis traduntur ut sagittis 
superari nequeant. — Non potuere, i. e. nan possunt, cf. on G. 1, 49. Fo7'b. 

125. Et quidem^et tamen, H., ' and yet,' ' although.' — Non tarda, for strenua, 
impigra, or the like, ' active,' ' quick.' By what figure of rhetoric is this? 

126. Tristes, ' sour,' ' bitter.' H. Cf. G. 1, 75.— Tardum, ' lasting,' ' linger- 
ing,' that remains long on the tongue and palate. K. 

127. Fellcis, 'happy,' 'blessed,' i. e. 'healthful,' 'wholesome.' on account 
of its salubrious qualities. — Mali, ' citron.' — Praeseniius, see in Lex. prae- 
sens, C. 

128. Saevae novercae. The Latin writers often charge stepmothers with 
the crime of poisoning the children of their husbands by a former marriage. 

129. This line is found again G. 3, 283, on which account, and because it 
inteiTupts the connection between praesentius idlum and auxilium venit, it is 
supposed by Heyne and some others to be an interpolation here. But Con- 
ington justly observes that, as the external evidence against the genuineness 
of the line is far from strong, and there is nothing inappropriate in the sense, 

20* 



234 



BOOK II. NOTES. 



poisons and incantations being frequently connected, it seems decidedly best 
to retain it : it will then serve as an epexegesis of infeceret — Miscuerunt, cf. 
on E. 4, 61. — Herbas, scil. no7i innoxias^ i. e. venenatas. H. — Nbn innoxia verba, 
i. e. noxia verba^ ' incantations.' H. 

130. A(jiit=ablgit, expellit. Forb. 

131. Faciem, cf. on E. 1, 55. 

132. Jactaret, see in Lex. I. B. 4. 

133. Erat for esset, Gr. § 259, E. 4, (1) & {b).—Labentia, 'falling off.' 
Instead of labentia we should expect labuniur; but see Gr. § 274, 3, (a). , 

134. 4fi prima, i. q. in primis, maxime, ' extremely,' ' in the highest de- 
gree.' — Olentia, see in Lex. olens, B. This word applies both to animas and 
ora, Forb. 

135. Fovent, i. e. curant, Qipa-nebovai, the same as the following verb medi- 
cantur, H., 'cure,' ' correct'; see in Lex. anima, 3. — Illo, scil. malo. Forb. — 
Medicantur. This verb sometimes governs the dative, as here, and some- 
times the accusative; Gr. \ 223, K. 2, 1, (a). 

136. Here follows, vs. 136 — 176, a highly wrought patriotic effusion, enu- 
merating the blessings which his native land enjoys, and the evils from which 
she is free. V. — Silvae ditissimn.for silvarum Gr. § 213 andE.5, (3). The punctua- 
tion given in the text was introduced by Reiske: the old interpretation, 
approved by Con., connected Medorum silvae, and placed ditissima terra in 
apposition ; and then, as Con. observes, the silvae would be the citron-groves, 
but with the other pointing nothing more seems to be meant than general 
luxuriance in trees. 

137. Auro turbidus, whose mud or sand is gold: Heyne calls it an oxy- 
moron. Con, 

139. Panchaia, a fabulous island off the east coast of Arabia, rich in myrrh, 
frankincense, etc. It seems here to be put for Arabia. 

140. The idea conveyed is: Italy is not inferior to Colchis in fertility, and 
she is at the same time free from those monsters which afflicted that country. 
Forb., Br. The allusion is to the story of Jason, who went to Colchis for the 
golden fleece; where he conquered the bulls, which breathed forth fire from 
their nostrils, and yoked them to a plough: he also slew a vast dragon, 
sowed his teeth in the ground and destroyed the soldiers which arose from 
the dragon's teeth, like a crop of corn from seed. M. — Ilaec loca, ' tliese re- 
gions,' ' this country.' 

141. Satis dentibus. According to Wr. and Forb. this is the dative, Gr. 
§222, and is equivalent to serendis dentibus; the bulls being yoked to the 
plough not after the teeth were sown, but before, and for the purpose of 
ploughing the ground so that the teeth might be sown. Con. however takes 
satis dentibus as the ablative absolute, regarding the passage as a sort of 
hysteron proteron. — Hydri, 'of the dragon,' whose teeth were sown by Jason. 

142. Viritm seges, ' a crop of men.' — Horruit, scil. in his locis. K. 

143. Gravidne, 'heavy '=largae, abundantes. Serv.—Bacchi Massicus hu- 
mor, 'the Massic liquid of Bacchus,' i. e. Massic wine, or wine from Movmt 
Massicus. 



BOOK II. NOTES. 235 

144. Oleae. See Metrical Key.— iaeto, ' prolific,' Con. 

145. The idea to be conveyed by these verses, 145—148, is, that Italy pro- 
duces good horses and cattle. E. Varro, Festus and others derive the name 
Italia^ from its oxen, WaXoi, {vituli), and Gell. 11, 1, calls it armentosissima, 
Con.— Bellaioi', cf. on E. 8, 13. Bellatoi- equus, 'the war-horse.'— ^rJwMs, 
i. e. erectus, celsus, Forb., referring to the proud bearing of the horse advanc- 
ing with lofty head. 

146. Albi greges. White victims were offered to the celestial gods, and 
black to the deities of the lower world. i^or3.— The waters of the river Cli- 
tumnus were supposed to have the effect of changing the color of cattle to 
white. Wr. — Maxima, either as being the largest victim, or as being offered 
on the occasion of a triumph. Burin., K. 

148. Ad templa deum, i. e. in Capitolium, Wr. — Duxere. As these white 
bulls preceded the triumphal car they are represented by the poet as leading 
the triumphal procession, though in fact they were not at its head. 

149. He describes the temperate air of Italy by saying it enjoys a per- 
petual spring, and summer warmth in months where summer is strange. — 
Alienis mensibus aestas, ' summer in months not its own,' soil, hibernis. Wr. 

150. Bis gravidae. The sheep yean twice in the year. X. — JJtilis, 'useful 
for,' i. e. ' productive of.' K. 

151. Saeva leonum semina, i. e. genera, Serv., for saevi leones. 

152. Fallunt, ' deceive,' i. e. they do not gather aconite by mistake, when 
collecting other plants. — Aconita. According to Dioscorides, 4, 78, aconite 
grew in Italy. It is probable therefore that the poet is not to be understood 
here as denying that this plant existed in Italy, but only as representing it to 
be seldom met with there, the stress being laid on fallunt, Serv., Forb. 

153. The words immenso and tanto show that the poet does not deny that 
venomous reptiles do exist in Italy, but that they are comparatively small 
and harmless. Br. — Tantx) iractu, ' with so vast a train,' scil. quanto in aliis 
terris. H. 

155. Adde, etc. To those blessings of nature already enumerated add the 
works of man and the men themselves. K. — Egregias, 'noble,' 'famous.' 
There were many more cities in Italy than in any other country of the same 
extent. Aelian says that it contained 1,197. Forb. — Operum laborem, 'the 
labor of the works,' i. e. the buildings, etc., erected with much labor, 'the 
laborious ' or ' mighty works.' Con. 

156. Congesta, i. e. aedijicata, consiructa, Serv. — Manu here implies labor, 
personal exertion. Con. — PraeriqHis saxis. The site of many of the ancient 
Italian towns was on precipitous rocks. 

157. Sublerlabentia. This does not mean that the rivers flow beneath the 
walls and into the cities, but that they flow close by the walls. Thus when 
any action is performed close to the walls of a town we say it is done under 
the walls, J/. The poet here refers to such towns as were built on the banks 
of streams. 

158. Mare quod supra, i. e. superum mare sen Adriaticum. — Quodque infra, 
i. e. inferum seu Tyrrhenum. — Alluit, scil. Italiam. 



236 BOOK II. ^'OTES. 

159. M(ixhne=2^erinagne, H. Lake Verbannus, now Lago Maggiore, is 
larger than Lake Larius. — Lam^ Gr. § 52. 

160. Fluctihus, scil. marinis. The lake was so large that in time of storms 
its waves and its roar were like tliose of the sea, E. — Assurgens, i. e. tumes- 
cens, H. 

161. Portus. The Portus Julius is meant, which was near Baiae in Cam- 
pania, and which was made by Caesar Octavianus, a. u. c. 717, as a place 
where his fleet might be repaired in safetj^, after his defeat by Sextus Pom- 
pey. A communication was made between the Lucrine lake and the Aver- 
nns, and the two were thus thrown into one; the mound which separated the 
Lucrine from the sea was strengthened, so as to form a strong breakwater, a 
passage being of course left for the admission of vessels. The harbor thus 
made was called Julius in honor of Caesar and the Julian family, Br. — 
Claustra, ' mound,' ' dyke,' K. 

162. Indignatum, ' expressing its indignation,' ' chafing ' at the barrier. — 
Magnis sbndoribus, ' loud murraurings.' 

163. Julia unda=iunda Julii portus. Con. — Longe may be joined either 
with sonai or refuso, but it is better to connect it with sonat. The meaning 
here seems to be, that the sea rushed against and was flung back by the 
dyke, and that the sound was heard all over the new-formed port, K. — 
Refuso, ' driven back,' ' beaten back.' Wr. is of the opinion that re in refuso 
denotes a change in the course of the waters, which are therefore to be un- 
derstood as 'pouring in' at the opening in the mole for ships to enter. 

164. Fretis, the dative. This refers to the passage made between the 
two lakes, of which Avemus was the more inland ; ' the channel of Aver • 
nus,' Con. 

165. Italy abounds also in metals, vs. 165, 166. — Rivos, ' streams,' is used 
to denote the abundance of the metal, //. — Aeris metalla, i. e. aes, H. 

166. Ostendit . . . fluxit. Pliny tells us, -3, 20, that the senate forbade the 
working of mines in Italy, and it may be, as is supposed by Wr. and others, 
that the perfects ostendit and jluxit refer to this discontinuance of working, 
though they need only mean ' it has been known to display,' etc. Con. — 
Venis, ' in its veins,' Con. — Auro plurinia jluxit^ poetic for plarimum auri in 
ea invenitur, Forb. Plurima, ' abundantly,' Gr. § 205, E. 10. 

167. Genus acre virum refers to all the tribes named. — Puhera Sahellam, 
' the Sabellian youth,' i. e. the Sabines. Under the name ' Sabines ' were in- 
cluded several tribes, the Afarsi, Peligni, Vestini, etc., Avhich derived their 
origin from the Sabines, Forb. ^ 

168. Mnlo for malis, aei'umiiis, laioribiis, KaKoizadfia, JL, 'to hardship,' for 
they inhabited a barren and rocky country. 

169. Decios, Marios, etc. All these heroes saved Rome in extreme peril, 
the Decii from the Latins, Marius from the Cimbri, Camillus from the Gauls, 
the Scipios from Carthage; and so Octavianus saves her from her enemies in 
the East, Con. Throe of the Decii, the father, son, and grandson, devoted 
themselves at different times, for the safety of their country; the first in the 
war with the Latins; the second in the Tuscan war, and the third in the war 



BOOK II. NOTES. 23T 

with Pyrrlius, M. ; see also Decius in Lex. — Marios — Camillos. These plurals 
are used to denote men of the kind of Marius and Camillus, Wr., Forb. 

170. Scipiadas. Eespecting the two Scipios see in Lex. Scipio, IT, — Duros 
hello, i. e. induratos ad bellum, bello being the dative, ' inured to war,' H., Wr. 

171. The poet here refers to the journey of Octavianus, a. u. c. 724, and 
soon after the battle of Actium, through Egypt and Syria into Asia, where 
he spent the winter near the Euphrates and arranged the affairs of Asia, H. — 
Oris, i. q. regionibus, terns, Forb. 

172. Imbellem, ' unwarlike,' ' unfit for war,' cf. molles Sabaei, G. 1, 57, H., 
an epithet denoting contempt: but Voss, who is followed by Jahn and Forb., 
takes it to mean ' dispirited,' by defeat. — Arcibus, referring to the city of 
Kome, built on seven hills, Wr. — Indum, meaning the Parthians and other 
Eastern nations who sided with Anthony in the battle at Actium, Forb. 

173. Salve, etc. He addresses Italy as if it were a goddess, H. — Saiurnia 
iellus, cf. on E. 4, 6. 

174. Tibi, ' for thee,' ' in thy honor.' — Res aniiquae laudis, because, as Ser- 
vius says, apud majores in ingenti Tionore fuerai ogricultura. — Res laudis et 
artis, i. e. a subject both held in honor and practised ; a7'tls, the ax-t of agri- 
culture. 

175. Sanctos ausus recludere fontes ; implying that he is the first to write 
a Latin poem on the subject of agriculture. Poets were said to derive their 
inspiration by drinking from the fountain sacred to the Muses ; and those 
who treated of a new subject were regarded as ' unsealing its spring,' Wr. 

176. Ascraeum carmen. Hesiod, who was born in Ascra, a village of Boe- 
otia, wrote the " Works and Days," an agricultural poem; hence Virgil calls 
his Georgics ' an Ascraen poem,' Br. 

177. Of the different kinds of soil, the power of each, by what color known, 
their productions, etc. vs. 177 — 258. — Locus, see in Lex. II. B. 

178. Quis is here used adjectively for qui, Gr. § 137, 1. 

179. Soils suited for the olive, vs. 179—183. "The fittest soil for the 
olive is one of gravel mixed with chalk, but in reality a much richer soil, if 
not necessary, will suit it well. Its peculiar merit, however, is that it thrives 
when the soil is too barren to afford abundant ci*ops of other kinds, and hence 
it covers the bleak hills in the south of France, the slopes of the Apennines, 
and the mountains of Greece," Daubeny. — Difficiles, opposed to facilis in v. 
223. Both difficiles and maligni are metaphorical, ' churlish ' and ' niggardly,' 
Co7i., i. e. hard to get any thing out of, and unfruitful. 

180. Tenuis, ' meagre,' ' lean,' ' hungry.' — Ai-vis, scil. sunt. 

181. Palladia, cf. on G. 1, 18. — Silva seems to have no particular force, a 
sort of ornamental variety for ay-bore. Con. — Vivacis. As the olive is slow of 
groAvth (see on v. 3), so it is long-lived. Pliny, 16, 44, speaks of it as an al- 
lowed fact that olives live two hundred years. Con. 

182. The presence of the wild olive shows that the soil is good for the cul- 
tivated. Con. — Indicia est, see in Lex. indicium, II. — Oleaster. The oleaster 
is not to be confounded with the plant cultivated in our gardens under that 
name, 31. 



238 BOOK IT. NOTES. 

183. Plurimus ol€aster=permulti vieastri, cf. on E. 7, 60. — Baccis, scil. 
oleastri, Wr. 

184. A rich soil is suited for the vitie, vs. 184 — 194. — UUgine. Servius 
says this is terrae humor naturaUs, the natural moisture of the earth. 

185. Quique does not represent a second kind, but this and the following 
quique^ v. 188, form an apposition to v. 184, Br. — FertiUs vbere, ' abounding 
in fertility,' ' of abundant fruitfuhiess ' ; see 1. uier, II. C. in Lex. 

186. Cava convalle, ' in the hollow valley,' refeiTing as well to the land 
on the sides as to that in the bottom of the mountain hollow ; see on the 
next verse. 

187. Despicere. The poet conceives himself on the summit of the moun- 
tain, and looking down upon the valley. — Liquuntur=zdefluunt, Wr. 

188. Felicem, i. e. fecitndantem, ' fertilizing,' II. — Ftlicem I'lmum forms a 
contrast to tenuis argilla, above,' Con. — Quique editus nustro, soil, campus, from 
V. 185, K. — Editus austro ^ov ad austrum, 'rising to the south.' Authorities 
were divided as to the best aspect for a vineyard. Con. 

189. Curtis invisam aratris; because its long roots impede the ploughs, K. 

190. Fluentes, cf. on v. 100, 'flowing with,' 'abounding in.' 

191. FertiUs urae, like fertilis frufjum 2)ecorisque, Hor. Carm. Saec. 29, 
Con. See Gr. § 213. 

192. Puteris libamus et auro. See Gr. § 323, 2, (3). Cf. on E. 2, 8. In 
explaining this and similar expressions by hendiadys, we must bear in mind 
that such figures ai*e not so much rules Avliich the poets followed, as helps 
devised by the grammarians for classifying the varieties of language In which 
the poets indulged : the two nouns may generally be combined in transla- 
tion, being resolved into a noun with its epithet, or a noun with another in 
the genitive, as here, ' golden bowls,' or ' bowls of gold,' Con. — The best wines, 
particularly the Chian and Faleruian, were used in libations, Forb. 

193. Pinguis Tyrrhenus. Servius explains pinguis, '■ victimarum scilicet 
carnibusJ' Tuscan flute-players were employed at Eome to play when sacri- 
fices were off"ered, H. — Ebur, i. e. tibia tbarnea, either made of or adorned 
with ivory, see in Lex. ebur, B. 1. 

194. Pandis, 'curved,' 'hollow.' — FM?/irm/ia, ' reeking,' Co??., referring to 
the natural heat of the exta^ as being just taken from the body of the newly 
slain victim, Wr., Forb. But Servius understands it of the heat acquired in 
cooking the entrails, which he speaks of as boiled before being offered, Con. — 
Reddimus, ' pay,' ' offer.' Reddcre is said by Servius to be the technical word 
for laying the entrails on the altar, Con. 

195. Of good pasture-lands, vs. 195 — 202. — Studium iiieri, scil. est tihi, 
'you are desirous to keep,' or 'rear.' See Gr. § 275, III. R. 1., note 1, and cf. 
on G. 1, 213. Tueri, ut servare, eo sensu, quo est nutrire, alere, H. 

196. Fetus ovium, i. q. eves, K. — Urentes, ' drying up,' 'withering.' The 
ancients supposed that there was something either in the bite or the saliva 
of the goat poisonous to trees, especially to vines and olives. — Culta, ' the cul- 
tivated trees ' or ' plantations.' 



BOOK II. NOTES. 239 " 

197. Saturi, see in Lex. I. B. 2. — Longinqua, soil, mwa, ' the distant pas- 
ture-grounds.' — Tarentum, (Taranto), at the head of the bay of the same 
name, was famed for the fertiUty of its soil, Br. 

198. Infelix Mantua, see Argument E. 1. 

199. Merboso Jiumine, i. e. Mincio, cf. E. 7, 12, 13. 

200. Deerunt, cf. note on deerraverat, E. 7, 7. 

201. FA, quantum, etc. This is a poetic exaggeration ; but Varro (K. R. 1, 7), 
quotes a statement that in the plains of Rosea a pole left lying on the ground 
one day was overgrown by the grass the next day, K., Con. — Longis diebus 
and exigua node are opposed, Con. 

203. Land fit for corn, vs. 203— 211.— Fere, see in Lex. IL B. 2. It is to 
be taken with optima frumentis. The meaning, according to Wagner, is 
solet optima esse nigra, si eadem pinguis est et puiris. — Presso sub vomere, cf. 
on G. 1, 45. 

204. Putre. A soil at once fat and loose answers to the description of that 
which Virgil terms putre, being naturally in that condition which it is our 
business in other cases to bring about by art, Daubeny. — Hoc imitamur aran- 
do, ' this we endeavor to effect by ploughing,' i. e. to make the ground loose 
or crumbling. 

205. Non ullo ex aequore . . . aut unde ; for non ullo ex aequore (quam e 
tali), . . . aut (ex illo), unde, Forb. Aequore. Cf. on G. 1, 50. 

206. Tardis may not only express the naturally slow movement of the 
oxen, biit may also imply the great weight of the load and the size of the 
cart, H. — Juvencis is in the dative, by a Greek construction, according to 
Wr. and Forb., decedere being construed like a passive, (Gr. § 225,, IL), and 
decedere juvencis being equivalent to devehi a juve7icis: it seems better with 
Con., to take juvends either as an ablative of manner, Gr. § 247, 2, or as an 
abl. of the agent, Gr. § 248, R. 2 & 3 ; decedere, in the latter case, being equal 
to devehi- 

207. Ground lately cleared from timber is another kind of soil which is 
good for corn. — Iratus. This epitliet seems to be added to express the anger 
or impatience of the ploughman, who sees his land overgrown with wood, 
which otherwise miglit bear good crops of corn, M. — Devexit et evertit . . . 
eruit, for devexit evertens, eruens, i. e. exstiipans, cf. on E. 6, 20. 

208. Ignova, see in Lex. ignavus, II. 

209. Cf. Frondiferasqiie domos avium, Lixcr. I. 19. 

210. Altavi 2)etiere, ' seek the heavens,' * fly aloft.' The tense does not 
denote rapidity, as in G. 1, 330 and above v. 81, but is determined by that 
of the preceding verbs, Con. 

211. Rudis, 'untilled,' hitherto uncultivated. — Enituit, ' looks trim,' 'neat,' 
Con. ; or ' begins to shine,' as a rich soil does when newly ploughed, Wr. 
Enituit, like the perfects preceding is aoristic, Con., cf. on G. 1, 49. — Impulso 
vomere, ' when the ploughshare is driven into it ' ; cf. v. 203, and G. 1, 45. 

212. Nam. lihe connection is : these are the best kinds of soil for corn, 
and not those of a diffex-ent nature, for, etc. Forb. — Ruris, ' field.' 



240 BOOK II. NOTES. 

213. Casias, cf. E. 2, 49. But Martyn thinks the 'mountain widow-wail' 
is meant here. — Rorem, see Lex. II. 2; rosemary, a favorite plant with 
bees, Dauheny. 

214. Tqfus, ' the tufa,' a porous and crumbling stone. The construction is, 
Tofus et creta negant alios agros aeque ftrre serpentibus cibum, scilicet, ac ipsi, 
tqfus et creta, ferunt. Here, as is frequently the case with the poets, reason 
and speech are attributed to inanimate objects, jE; cf. v. 59, and on E. 5, 27. 
— Exesa, ' eaten out,' ' hollowed.' Heyne thinks the poet alludes to natural 
cavities, but there seems to have been an opinion that the serpents ate the 
creta, 'potter's clay,' K. — Chelydris, 'water-snakes,' these were venomous 
and noisome serpents, with a hard skin like a tortoise, from x^^^s tortoise, and 
{)(5wp, water, Fo7-b. 

215. Aeqzie, ' to an equal extent,' ' as much.' 

216. Et (aeque), ' and in such abundance,' Br. 

217. Of the best kind of land, fit for vines, olives, cattle and com, vs. 217 — 
225. — Nebulam and fumos both refer to the same thing, viz. the light mist 
which the heat of the atmosphere draws up from lands which contain mois- 
ture, K. Houldsworth, in his " Observations" on Virgil, as quoted by Bryce, 
states that the " Campania Felix generally has a thin mist hanging over it 
some part of the day, Avhich preserves it from being dry, though continually 
cultivated. And though there is scarce any running water over so large a 
tract, yet its own natural moisture, (and that without dampness), still main- 
tains it rich and fertile. This mist, flying like smoke from the foot of Mount 
Vesuvius and the Surrentine hills over the Campania, is so frequent, that it 
has often put me in mind of this description." The poet seems to have taken 
this district as the type of a rich and fertile soil, Br. 

219. Sua semper viridi. Some of the manuscripts and many of the earlier 
editions have suo viridi semper ; but the reading in the text is supported by 
the authority of the best manuscripts and also by the following reasons: 
first, by Wr., that semper is usually placed immediately after the personal or 
relative pronoun, cf. E. 1, 7; 3, 62; 5, 74; and second, by Forb., that an ad- 
verb always precedes the adjective which it qualifies, unless the adjective is 
the emphatic Avord, Cf Gr. § 279, 15, (a) & 16. Voss and Wr., on the au- 
thority of one manuscript, adopt the reading viridis, which could be under- 
stood as used proleptically for viridem se vesiit, i. e. vestit se gramine, quo fit^ 
ut lireat, (cf. on G. 1, 320); or viridis se vestit might be regarded as a more 
elegant form of expression for viridis est, Wr. — Suo, ' its own,' i. e. natural. 
Semper viridi, 'ever green.' 

220. Salsa robigine, ' salt rust,' i. e. rust occasioned by salt. 

221. Iniexet vitibus ulnios, cf E. 2, 70.— 222. Oho, abl. 

223. Faiilem, 'friendly to,' i.e. yielding abundance of food, cf. on y. 
179. — Patientem vomeris, ' submissive to the ploughshare,' i. e. easily tilled, 
and hence suited to raising corn. 

224. Vicina Vesevo ora. The eruption of Vesuvius, by which Herculaneum 
and Pompeii were destroyed, did not take place till more than a century after 



BOOK II. NOTES. 241 

the writing of the Georgics, and the country about it was then one of the 
most charming in Italy, K. — Ora^ 'the region,' 'the country.' 

225. Vacuis^ 'thinly-peopled.'— Cfoniws, i. e. the people dwelling on its 
banks, cf. on G. 1, 509.— iVb?i aeguus, ' not kind,' ' unkind ' ; see Clanius and 
Acerrae in Lex. 

226. Of the ways by which different kinds of soil may be known, vs. 226— 
258. — Quamque, scil. terram, from v. 203, K. 

227. Bara sit, etc. The construction is; si requires, rara ('loose') sit an 
supra inorem densa Cst[f£^), ante locum copies, lines 228 & 229 being paren- 
thetic. — Supra morem, ' unusually,' not ' excessively.' 

229. Magis with densa, answering to rarissima quaeque, Con. 

230. Cnpies, ' choose,' ' select.' — Alte, ' deep.' 

231. Tn soUdo, ' in the solid ground,' as the experiment could not be fairly 
tried if the ground was hollow, M. — 232. Aequabis, see in Lex. 1, c. 

233. Si deerunt, scil. arenae, ' if the sand is wanting,' i. e. if there is not 
enough to fill the pit. — Rarum, etc. The construction is, rarum erit uber, 
jjecorique aptius et vilibus ahnis ; uber, i. e. ubertas, uber et fecundum solum, be- 
ing here equivalent to humus, solum, ' the soil,' H. 

234. Negabunt, scil. eae (arenae), etc., i. e. if they cannot be replaced; 
cf. note on v. 214. 

235. Scrobibus, i. e. scrobe, the plural for the sing. ; here used as a synonym 
for puteus, v. 231, K. — Superabit, 'be in excess-,' i. e. be a surplus of it; or 
' be left over,' ' remain ' ; see in Lex. L 2 & 3. 

236. Cunciantes=:tenaces, 'tenacious,' 'stubborn,' Wr. — Terga, cf. on 
G. 1, 97.— a-ossrt, 'stiff.' 

237. Prosclnde, cf. on G. 1, 97. 

238. " The sweetness of a soil is estimated by its communicating no un- 
pleasant taste to water that has filtered through it. The presence of this 
flavor would be occasioned by certain salts noxious to vegetation, such for in- 
stance as alum or sulphate of iron, which Virgil seems to allude to in the 
following lines, (vs. 238 — 247). The presence of these latter salts would be 
more common in the volcanic soil of Italy than elsewhere, the sulphurous 
fumes rising through the ground being a constant source of sulphuric acid, 
which would produce alum and sulphate of iron with the bases with which it 
came into contact." Daubeny. 

239. Frugibus, the dative. — Infelix, cf. on E. 5, 37. — Mansuescit arando=. 
aratione, 'grows mild by ploughhig,' i. e. by being ploughed, by cultivation; 
see Gr. § 275, 1. R. 2. 

240. Both grapes and apples degenerate in such a soil. — Nomina,'' ' name,' 
for ' charactei-,' Serv., Burm., Con., and others; see in Lex. 11. A. 2. Both 
genus and nomlna are metaphors from nobility. Con. Forb. thinks that nomina 
means the ' names ' by which they had been known before becoming de- 
generate. 

241. Tu. The personal pronoun here gives force and calls attention, K. — 
Spisso vimine qualos, ' baskets with close rods,' i. e. closely-woven baskets, K. 

242. Colaque prelorum, ' and the strainers of the wine-press.' Cola is con- 

21 



242 BOOK II. XOTES. 

nected to qualos epexegetically, 'the closely woven baskets,' (to wit), 'the 
strainers of the wine-press,' Wr., qualos and cola appearing to be used here 
for one and the same thing, and the plur. for the sing. — Fumosis tectis. 
When not in use they were hnng np under the roof to prevent their being 
injured by worms or moisture, Foib. — Deripez=sume, H. 

243. Hue. As there is no verb of motion we might have expected Idc, but 
the form of expression is abbreviated, instead of hue infundnntur et calcentur. 
Ager, i. e. a portion of it. — Mains: he assumes the bitterness, which he calls 
malignity, (cf. sceleratum frigus, v. 256), of the soil, both in making the ex- 
periment and in the result, Avhere a prose writer would of course have 
expressed himself hypothetically, Con. — A fontibus undae, i, e. undae fon- 
tanae, Wr. 

244. Ad plenum, ' to the full,' 'to the top,' H., Wr., Con. and Klotz; rather 
than ' copiously,' or ' abundantly.' — Cakentur seems to mean here ' pressed,' 
not ' tread ' or ' trampled ' ; see in Lex. 4. 

246. At, i. q. autem, see in Le_x. at, remarks at the beginning, and I. — 
Sapor, soil, aquae exjii^essae, H. — Indieium faciet, ' will make disclosure ' or 
' discovery.' — Sapor manifestus faciei for rnanifeste, qualifying faciet. Con. 
But Jahn, Wr. and many others connect vianifestus with amaror. — Ora tristia 
tentantum torquebit, ' will distort the wry faces of those trying it,' tristia being 
proleptic, (cf. on G. 1, 320), i. e. ' will twist awry the faces of the tasters.' 
Ti-istis shows the effect produced by the bitter taste, while it continues. 

247. Sensu, ' by the sensation.' — Some Mss. have amaro. 

248. Denique, ' finally.' He now gives the third and last of the experi- 
ments, described by him, for ascertaining the qualities of different soils. 
Daubeny says: " Another indication of fatness (of the soil) is its glutinous 
quality, sticking like pitch to the hand." 

249. Manibus jactata, ' when tossed about with the hands,' i. e. when 
thrown to and fro between the hands ; from one hand to the other. 

250. In morem, see mos, 11. A. in Lex. — Lentescit, 'becomes viscous,' 
' adheres.' — Habendo, ' when being held ' in the hands, ' in handling,' cf. on 
v. 239. 

251. Majores, ' higher than usual,' hence, ' rank.' — Ipsa, ' of itself,' i. e. 
without the aid of manure. — Justo laetior, 'more fertile than is right,' 'too 
fertile.' Gr. § 256. — Ilerbas, ' grass,' ' herbage.' 

252. Ah nimium, etc. Observe how elegantly the poet expresses the 
thought: such land is undesirable; cf. on G. 1, 456. Nimium is to be taken 
with fertilis. 

253. Neu se ostendat, ' nor ' (as mine) ' show itself.' — Primis aristis, ' in its 
first crop,' i. e. when it is first brought under tillage. Con. 

254. Tacitam, for iacite; see Gr. § 205, E. 1, & E. 15, (a), 'silently,' i. e. 
without any external evidence, such as the crops produced by it. 

255. Promptum est, see p)''^omptus, B. 2, under jrromo in Lex. — Praediscere, 
i. e. before cultivation. — Oculk, dat. with promptum, or abl. 

256. Cui for cuigue, Wr. and Forb. — Exqidrere, ' to search out.' 

257. Taxique nocentcs, cf. on E. 9, 30. 



BOOK II. NOTES. 243 

258. Pandunt vestigia^ ' disclose signs,' ' exliibit traces.' — Nigrae. Martyn 
is of the opinion that niger is used because the berries of the common ivy are 
black, when ripe. Cf on E. 3, 39 ; 7, 38. But Forb. refers to E. 6, 54. 

259. Of the preparation of the ground for a vineyard, and of planting, vs. 
259 — Zh^.^—His aiiimadversis, i. e. agri qucdltate depreliensa, Serv. — Multo ante, 
' long before,' scil. quam seras quklpiom, Wr. 

260. Excoquere, ' to bake,' i. e. to let lie exposed to the sun and weather, 
K., cf. G. 1, 64 — 66. — Magnos monies. The poet enjoins unsparing labor : no 
matter how large the hill, which is to be planted with the vine, it must all be 
intersected with numerous trenches. — Concidere, ' cut up,' 'cut to pieces.' 

261. Ante. Suppl}'- multo before ante, from v. 259, Wr. 

262. Laetum, an epithet marking the vine's luxuriance, cf. on E. 7, 48. — 
Optima, etc. He now gives the reason for the precept contained in the pre- 
ceding verses, to expose the soil to the Aveather, cf. v. 204. — Putn solo, abla- 
tive of quality, Gr. § 211, R. 6. 

263. Id, i. e. ut piitre Jiat solum. — Curant, ' cause to be done,' ' effect.' 

264. Lahefacta, i. e. pastinata, Forb. — .Tugera, ' the acres,' i. e. the ground 
where the vineyard was to be planted. 

265. Si quos hand vHa vivos vigi^ntia fugit is a poetical variety for si quos 
prae vigilaniia nihil fugit. Con. ; i. e. those who take every precaution select 
for the nursery of the vines a place in which the soil is similar to that of the 
future vineyard. 

266. Locum similem, in apposition alternately, as it were, Avith each of the 
two causes that follow, ubi — seges and quo—feratur, a like spot for the nursery, 
and a like spot for the vineyard. Con. — Prima=primum, ' at first,' opposed to 
mox: seges, 'the vine-crop,' nursery of young vines, Con. 

267. Arhoi'ihus, ' for the trees,' i. e. those which are to support the vine ; 
cf. on V. 89. — Et quo. In prose we should have had locum similem ei, quo mox, 
etc., instead of locuvi similem et quo, H. — Digesta feraiur, i. q. digeratui' et 
feratur, or, as this is a hysteron j^roteron, fei'aiur et digeratur, ' may be car- 
ried and planted in regular rows,' Gr. § 274, 3, {b). 

268. Subito goes with mutatam. Con. — Semina, ' the young vines.' — Matrem, 
i. e. the earth that gave them nutriment, K. 

209. Quin etiam, etc. They even go so far as to mark on the bai'k of the 
plant the position in which it stood with respect to the cardinal points; 
putting a mark, for instance, on the side facing the north or south, in order 
that they may give it the same position Avhen transplanted, K. The idea 
of the importance of replanting trees Avith the same relative position which 
they before occupied, is held also by Theophrastus, 2, 7; Columella, 5, 6, 19, 
20, and Palladius, 3, 19; but is dissented from by Pliny, 17, 11, 16. — In cor- 
tice, scil. j^i'^'-ntae. Serv. 

271. Quae terga, ' the back Avhich,' (the plural for the singular), i. e. the 
part which, the plant being spoken of as a person, turning his back to the 
cold of the north. Lade. — Axi, see in Lex. 2, b. 

272. Eestituant, scil. plantas. — Adeo in teneris consuescere multum est, ' so 



244 BOOK II. NOTES. 

powerful are habits formed in tender age'; 171 teneris having the force of i« 
teneris annis, Con. 

273. Before planting it should be determined, (in view of the soil, the dif- 
ferent kinds of vines, etc.), w^hether to make the vineyard on the hills or on 
the plain. This preliminary in strictness precedes that in v. 259, sq. 

274. Metahere, see in Lex. II. 1. — Campi is the same as plano^ and the em- 
phatic word. — Pingues opposed to the light soil of the hills, Con. 

275. Densa for dense, Serv., see G.r. § 205, E. 10. — In denso, etc. This 
may be interpreted ' in a dense soil,' uber being taken as equivalent to solu7n, 
(cf. on v. 233); or, as is preferable, in denso^n locodenso consito, ' in a thickly 
planted place,' ' when thickly planted,' segnior ubere being then construed to- 
gether, (Gr. § 250), 'more sluggish as to fertility,' 'less pi-olitic' " The dis- 
tance between the rows will depend upon the sort; but here Columella and 
Virgil appear to be at issue, the fox'mer recommending that if the soil be poor, 
they be planted at intervals of five; if of middling quality, of six; if rich, 
of seven feet." Daubeny. 

276. Sin, scil. metabere, H. — Supinos, see in Lex. B. 2. 

277. Indulge ordinibus, i. e. ordines effice largiores, Serv., ' give your rows 
room,' ' set them apart ' ; see in Lex. indulgeo, I. — Nee secius, etc. This is a 
passage with which commentators have befen much perplexed. Conington's 
explanation appears to be the best: "The order of the passage is probably 
nee secius (quam si densa seras) omnis secto limiie via, arbor ibus positis, in 
unguem quadret: — ' let each avenue with drawn line, as you set your trees, 
exactly tally '=' let the line of each avenue that you draw exactly'- tally with 
the rest.' Secto via limite then will=:na secta. Nothing more than regularity 
is prescribed in these two lines so understood; the simile of the legion, which 
follows, shows that the quincuncialis ordo is intended. If Avith Martyn we 
press the distinction between via and limes, making the latter mean the 
ti-ansverse path, which is to cut the former at right angles, the constniction 
must be omnis via, secto limite, (i. e. quurn limes secius J'uerit), quadret (cum eo 
limite). But there w^ould be some awkwardness in this abl. abs. following 
arboiHbus positis, and the language would stiU not be quite precise, as a quin- 
cunx would not be represented by a number of parallel lines with cross lines 
at right angles. In unguem goes with quadret.'''' In unguem, see unguis in 
Lex. Arboribus', cf on v. 89. Wch. and Lade, also supply the same thought 
after nee secius. Forb. I'cfers 7iec secius to indulge ordinibus: give room to 
the rows, and ' not less,' i. e. with no less care than you use in doing this, 
see that all the paths correspond. Heyne makes nee secius~etiam, arboribus 
=vitikcs, limite secto=linea ducta, {quae ordines facit), and takes iw unguejn 
•with positis. Wr. explains it thus: nee secius arboribtis in unguem positis, 
omnis via, secto limite, quadret, ' and not less than trees planted exactly, let 
every path, when a cross path is made, agi-ee with it,' i. e. let all the corres- 
ponding paths, between the different rows of trees, be of equal width, as in 
the quincunx: thus making arboribus the abl. after seciiis, Gr. § 256, and giv- 
ing to limes and via substantially the same signification. 

279. Ut^veluti.—Longa. The legion is called longa by anticipation, for it 



BOOK II. NOTES. 245 

is only after the cohorts have been divided hito maniples and these maniples 
have been extended, that the legion, which usnally marched in a square, be- 
comes extended. The position of the hastati, /)ri?za};es and trimii, when the 
army was drawn up for battle, represents the quincunx order of planting: 
Hasiati D D G D a 

PmicijJes ■ D D D D 

Triarii Q □ □ □ □ 

280. Steiit, ' has taken its position in the ranks.' — Agmen is the column in 
order of march, which deploys into acies^ or line of battle, Con. 

281. Blreciaeque acies, ' and the army is drawn up in battle array.' — 
Late tellus flactuut aere, poetically, for aeris^ i. e. armorum, fulgor fiuctuat, 
coruscai in terra, dum moventur arma et agitantur, Forb., see fluctuo in Lex. I. 

282. Aere renidenti tellus ; cf. At7-e renidescit tdlus, Lucr. 2, 326. — Miscent 
proelia, scil. milites; see in Lex. misceo, 1. B. 4. 

283. Mediis in ai'mis, i. e. inter duo exercitus, H. — Mars errat dubius, be- 
cause it is as yet uncertain on which side and when the battle will com- 
mence, H., ' in suspense.' 

284. Viarum with paribus numeris=.paribus et numerosis viis, ' equal and 
regular avenues,' Con.; or paribus intei-vallis viarum, Forb. 

285. Animum inanem, ' an empty mind,' that looks only to the gratification 
of the eye, (K.), and does not consider the practical advantage of the ar- 
rangement. 

286. Vires dabit aequas, i. e. aeque suppediiabit alimenta, succum, H. 

287. In vacuum, i. e. mto a space that is not already occxipied by the 
branches of other trees, K. ; see in Lex. vacuus, I. b. 

288. The depths at which different trees should be planted, vs. 288 — 297. 
The depth varied from one and a half to four feet. — Fastigia, see in Lex. 
L B. b. 

289. Ausim, see Gr. § 162, 9, note. — Sidco for scrobe, H., see in Lex. sulcus, 

n. B, 1. 

290. Altior defigiiur arbos, for arbos defigitur altius, ' a tree is driven down 
deeper,' i. e. 'is sunk deeper." — Pemtus, 'far within,' ' far.' — Terrae dejigitur 
=in terra ; cf. Defigunt ielluri hasias, A. 12, 130, and see dejigo in Lex. — 
Arbos seems here to refer, as Heyne says, to the trees quibus vites jungantur 
sen maritentur, to which the vines are trained. 

291. In primis, ' especially.' — Quantum . . . in Tai^tara tendit, repeated 
in A. 4, 445, 446. 

294. MuUosque nepotes, ' many descendants,' ' many generations of men.' 
The order is : multos nep)oies, multa virum saecida vincit durando, volvens, scil. 
ea saecula, Forb. 

295. Multa virum saecula. This is a mere variation of the preceding 
words, K. — Fofoetts, J rolling along,' and hence 'going through.' — Durando 
vincit, ' conquers in enduring,' ' outlives.' 

296. Turn. The three preceding verses are parenthetic in character*, or at 
least they are a digression from the line of description. We now go on, at 

21* 



246 BOOK II. NOTES. 

turn, to the rest of the particulars of the tree. Turn is not tiierefore in this 
case an adverb of time but of enumeration. See turn, II. B. 1, in Lex. 

297. Ipsa, ' itself,' the trunk, opposed to ramos. Ipse is employed to dis- 
tinguish the whole from a part, and the better or principal part from the re- 
mainder, Wr. — Inyentem umbram, i. e. frondes umbrain late facientes, Wr. 

298. Miscellaneous precepts relative to vines, vs. 298 — 314. — Neve t'M ad 
solem, etc. Columella, Pliny and Palladius hold that the aspect of a vine- 
yard should vary with the climate, Con. — Neve — neve is used in prohibitions 
(it is, however, of rare occurrence) and in dependent propositions with ut pre- 
ceding, Madv. §"459. 

299. Corylum; eithet because its dense shade is injurious, or because, hav- 
ing long roots, it deprives the vine of nourishment, Wr. 

300. Summa, ' the highest,' ' the topmost.' — Pete, ' seek,' i. e. for cuttings. 
— Arbore, the tree which supports the vine. Con. 

301. Tantus amor terrae, ' so great is their love of the eai'th ' ; implying 
that those which are nearest to the earth are more vigorous. — Neu ferro, etc. 
This precept against injuring young trees or vines with a blunt knife is also 
found in Col. 4, 24. 

302. He passes now to the olive-grounds, and directs tliat the wild olive 
should not be planted among the vines, as they were so apt to take fire. — 
Oleae. Wr., followed by K., Forb., and Lade., reads olea, giving insere the 
the technical meaning of grafting, and understanding the caution to be 
against grafting the olive on the oleaster. It is better, with Hejme, Con. and 
others, to read oleae, and suppose the precept of the poet to be against plant- 
ing wild olives among the vines, taking insere as equivalent to intersere. 

305. Robora=solidum oleae truncum, ' the solid trunk of tlie olive,' Foi^b. — 
Elapsus, see in Lex. elabor, I. A. b. 

306. Caelo for ad caelum, K. — Dedit, cf on G. 1, 49. — Secuius^=progressus, 
gliscens, 'spreading,' II. 

308. Ruit, ' sends up,' ' throws up.' — Nemus, ' vineyard,' the word being 
used here with reference to the trees supporting the vines :=ariws<Mm. 

310. A vertice=desiqyer, a caelo, h^podev, ' from on high,' ' from above,' ff. 

311. Glomerat, ' forms into a mass,' i. e. by spreading the fire in every 
direction makes one general conflagration. — Ferens, i. e. j^'^^ofh'ens, ' extend- 
ing,' ' spreading,' Wr. 

312. Hoc ubi, scil. accidit, "Wr. Wakefield places a comma after hoc and 
joins ubi to the following clause. Hoc would then be equivalent to propter 
hoc, hac de causa, and it is often used thus in Lucr. when ubi follows, Furb. — 
Non a stirpe valent, scil. vites, ' they have no strength in the stock,' i. e. their 
stock no more shows life. A stirpe, see in Lex. ab, C. 12. — Caesae, ' Avhencut 
down,' to make them sprout. — Reverti, ' return,' i. e. ' revive,' ' recover.' 

313. Supply non before possunt, or, que, v. 312, may be disjunctive. — 
Ima terra, ' from the deep earth,' ' from the earth at their roots,' Con.. — 
Similes, ' such as they were.' 

314. InJ'dix, cf, on E. 5, 37. — Superat^^superest, revirescit, H. 



BOOK II. NOTES. 247 

. 315. Time of planting, vs. 315—322. " Vines may be planted either in 
spring or in autumn ; in spring if the ground be moist and rich ; in autumn, 
if it be dry and poor," Daubeny. — Nee tibi, etc. =nec quisguam tarn prudens 
auctoi- habeatur ut iibi j^ersuacleat, Con. Cf. on G. 1, 456. Auctor, see in 
Lex. 6. . 

316. Movere^ ' to stir,' i. e. in making trenches ; see v. 260, H. 

317. Claudit, ' shuts up,' i. e. binds together, ' tightens ' ; cf. v. 331. — 
Semine jacto. Sernine is here used in the same signification as in vs. 268, 302, 
and jacto for posito, ' planted.' 

318. Concretam, 'chilled,' 'congealed,' 'frozen,' Forh., Lade.^ K. This 
seems better than the explanation of Heyne, who takes concretam as active, 
* clinging,' quae concrescit, dum affigitur; or that given by Wagner, Mems non 
2)atliur surculorum radices concrescere cum terra eique affigi-, or the reading 
of Voss, concrettmi. See in Lex. concretus under concresco, and 2. concretus. — 
Affigere, sell. se. 

319. Optima vinetis satio, scil. est, which is inserted in some of the old edi- 
tions. — Rubenti, ' blushing,' so called with reference to the brilliant flowers, 
of i-ed and other colors, which it produces, Foi-b. 

320. Candida avis, referring to the stork, ciconia, a bird of passage, and 
which feeds on serpents, K. 

321. Prima vel, etc., ' or towards the first cold of autumn,' and therefor© 
near the end of October, as the winter commenced early in November. 

322. Hiemem, i. e. those constellations which the sun enters in winter. — 
Aestas, ' the summer heat,' ' warm weather.' Cf. on G. 1, 312. 

323. Adeo=yi, quidem, cf. on K. 4, 11, and see in Lex. 2. adeo, B. 2. It 
qualifies ver. — Nemorum. Wagner says that this word here means ' orchards ' 
or other trees planted by man, while silcis refers to ' forests ' of natural growth. 

324. Tament, ' swell,' dpydsn, as the breasts of females when come to ma- 
turity, //., K. 

325. The language of this passage is metaphorical, and derived from physi- 
cal generation, Con. — Pater omnipotens Aether, cf. on E. 7, 60, and G. 1, 324, 
and See in Lex. aether, 2. This allegory of the Aether and the Earth was a 
very favorite one with the poets, Br. — 326. Conjugis, i. e. Terrae. 

327. Magnus magno. This repetition of the same adjective, in different 
cases, is often found in the poets, and is intended to give emphasis. Cf. G. 1, 
190. — Alii fetus is a departure from the figure of the marriage of heaven and 
earth, to the common and natural idea of the fertilizing efi"ect of showers. Con. 

328. This relates to the loves of the birds. Con. — Canoris, 'tuneful.' 

329. Venerem repetunt, 'renew their love.' — Certis diebus, 'on the days 
fixed,' ' at their appointed times.' 

330. Parturit ager, cf. E. 3, 56. — Zejjhyri, the genitive. — Amis, the dative. 

331. Laxant, cf. v. 317. — Arva, the nominative. Sinus, the accusative. — 
Superat, 'is abundant,' 'abounds.' 

332. In novos soles credere, for novo soli, containing the two ideas, in solem 
prodeunt and soli se creduni. — Novos, because new to them, as they were but 
just now springing into existence. Many Mss. have gramina. 



248 BOOK II. KOTES. 

334. Magnlsz=vehtriienilhus, procellosis^ H. 

336. Observe how beautifully the poet expresses the idea that the world 
was created in the spring of the year. — Crescentis=nascentis, H. 

337. Tenorem, ' nature,' ' quality,' ' condition.' 

338. lUud, soil, tempus. — Ver agebat, like agere festum, H., * was keeping 
spring.' Compare Milton's Paradise Lost. 4, 264, sq. 

'' The birds their quire supply : airs, vernal airs, 
Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 
The trembling leaves, while universal Pan, 
Knit with the Graces and the Hours, in dance 
L«d on the eternal spring." 

339. Hibernis parcehant jlatibus, ' forbore to put forth ' — . 

340. Primae. Voss, Forb., and some others, say this is for irrimum, cf. 
on 6. 1, 12; but this seems unnecessary here. The meaning is ' the first,' 
i. e. the first-created. — Lucem hausere, ' drank in light.' Haurio is used for 
drinking through the eyes and ears as well as through the mouth, A. 4, 359 ; 
10, 899: but light and air are not unfrequently confounded, pure ether being 
supposed to be liquid flame, Oon. 

341. Ferrea, ' iron,' ' hardy.' This is the reading of all the Mss. except 
two, which have terrea, (adopted by Voss, Wr. and others), but terrea means 

* made of earth,' not ' earth-born.' — Duris arvis, ' the hard ' ' I'ugged fields,' 
i. e. Twndum cultu miiigatis, Forb. The ancients believed that men sprang 
originally from the earth. 

342. Sidera. The stars were regarded as animated beings. Cf. G. 1, 32. 

343. This verse, with the two following, refers to the beneficence of spring 
generally, Con. — Ees tenerae, ' the tender things,' i. e. iiova suta, frondes, gem- 
mae, etc. H., the tender productions of nature. — Possent is not for potuissent, 
as the poets represent that in the first period of the world's existence there 
was neither heat nor cold, but constant spring. — Lahorein, ' hardsiilp,' ' trials,' 
to which they are exposed from the extremes of heat and cold. The word is 
also appUed to inanimate things in G. 1, 79, 150, and G. 2, 372. 

344. Quies, see in Lex. B. 2. — Iret for esset, H. 

345. Inter, Gr. § 279, 10, (/). — Exciperet, 'receive,' 'befall,' 'happen 
to.' Excipii me aliquid, i. e. accidit, contingit mihi aliquid d'mersum ab illo, 
quod ante fait, Wr. — Indulgentia, ' the indulgence,' i. e. mildness of tem- 
perature. 

346. Quod superest, ' as to the rest,' ' as to what remains,' a Lucretian for- 
mula. — Premes, see in Lex. j^remo, I. B. 9, b. — Virgulta=^surculos, ' sets,' 

* slips,' E. i. e. of vines and of the trees in the arbustum. 

347. Memor, cf. on G. 1, 167. 

348. Lapidem bibulum; qui arenarius vacatur, Serv., i. e. sandstone. — 
Squalentes conchas, ' rough shells.' 

349. Inter— labentur, tmesis, V/r. ; cf. E. 6, 6.— Tenuis haliius, cf on G. 1, 92. 

350. Anirnos tollent, ' take courage,' i. e. thrive, grow vigorously. Cf. on 
V. 214. — Sata=plantae, 'the sets' or 'plants.' — Reperti, scil. sunt, 'there have 
been found.' — Jamque, ' and before now,' Con. 



EOOK II. NOTES. • 249 

351. Super is to be taken -with zirijerent, i. e. desuper uryerent, H. — Atque^ 
for vel or aut, Wr. and Forb..— The stone or potsherd, placed near the plants, 
would, as the poet says, prevent the earth fi-om being Avashed away by the 
rain, and would also keep it from becoming baked and hard. 

352. Uoc — hoc: these both refer to the same thing, i. e. either the stone or 
potsherd before mentioned. — Ad=adcersus^ Wr. 

353. Hoc, scil. munimen est. — Iliulca is here used proleptically. Cf. on G. 
1, 320. — Cams aestifer, etc. refers to the heat of dog-days. 

354. Seiuinibus positis, ' when the sets are planted,' Con. — Diducere, * to 
separate,' ' to break up,' of reducing the clods. 

355. Ad cnpiia, ' about the roots ' ; see under caput, 2 in Lex. — Jactare, 'to 
throw,' implying difficulty in wielding it. 

356. Presso vomere, cf. on G. 1, 45. — Exercere solum, cf. on G. 1, 99. 

357. Fkctere, i. e. to plough across, as well as up and down the rows. Con. 

358. Cnlamos, scil. arvndineos, Wr. He now speaks of supports for the 
vines. — Rnsae virgae, 'of the smoothed rod,' 'of peeled rods.' 

859. Aptnre, see in Lex. ajjto, 2. — 360. Vu'ibus, Gr. § 247, 3. 

361. Tabulain, ' stories ' or ' stages.' These were the successive branches 
of the elm to which the vines were trained, the intermediate boughs being 
removed ; they were to be at least three feet apart, and were not to be in the 
same perpendicular line, lest the cluster hanging from the tabulatum above 
should be injured by that below; Col. 5, 6, Con. 

362. Pruning the vine, vs. 362 — 370. — Dum prima novis, etc., ' while their 
firsf age is growing up with j^oung leafy branches,' i. e. while the young sets 
are making their first growth. 

363. Parcendum teneris, scil. vitibus. The same precept is given by Theo- 
pln-astus, C. P. 3, 9, and Cato, 33, but Col. 4, 11, condemns it. Con. — Three 
periods are spoken of: first, when the vines, during their first growth, must 
not be pruned at all ; second, when, more advanced, they may be pruned 
with the hand, and third, when at a further stage of their growth the pruning 
knife may be used. — Ad auras, 'toward heaven.' 

364. Agii se, ' extends ' or ' shoots upwards.' — Laxis immissus habenis, ' let 
go with loose reins,' alluding to the rapid growth of the vine. The metaphor 
is taken from the driving of horses, and had before been used by Lucretius 
with reference to the growth of trees, 5, 785. — Per purum=per aerem, cf. 
G. 2, V. 287. 

365. Ipsa, scil. viiis, Voss, Fovb., as distinguished from the leaves. Con. — 
Tentanda may perhaps imply a dangerous experiment. Con. — Uncis manibus, 
' with crooked hands,' i. e. plucking off the superfluous leaves with the thumb 
and finger, which is practiced in summer time, before the shoots are grown 
woody and hard. 

366. Inter legendae, tmesis, ' picked out.' 

367. Stirpibus, ' stems.' Some manuscripts have viribus. 

368. Exierint, see in Lex. I. A. 2, f. — Brachia, see in Lex. 4, a. 

369. Dura exerce imperia, ' exercise a severe dominion.' 

370. Fluentes, see in Lex. I. B. 2: Then is the time to set up a strong 
government, and keep down the luxuriance of the boughs, Con. 



250 • BOOK II. NOTES. 

371. Texendae sepes, etc. Here the poet speaks of makiug hedges, to keep 
out cattle, and especially goats; whence he takes occasion to digress into an 
account of the sacrifices to Bacchus, M. — Tenendum, 'restrained,' 'kept out,' 
see in Lex. tetieo, I. A. d. 

372. Imprudensque lahorum, ' and xinacquainted with hardships,' ' having 
no experience in trials.' Cf. on v. 343, and see Gr. § 213, E. 1. 

373. Oui, .i. e. frondi tenerae, depends on illuduni. — Svper=2)raeter, ' be- 
sides,' and not, as explained by Heyne, plus quam, 'more than,' Wr., Forb., 
Con. The comparison of injuiy is in v. 376. — Tndignas=saevas, Serv., see 
indignus, B. in Lex., and cf. on G. 1, 491. 

374. Url. The urus is described by Caesar, B. G. 6, 28, as a native of the 
Hercynian forest in Germany. It was, he says, almost as large as an ele- 
phant, but of the shape and color of a bull; of great strength, velocity and 
fierceness, K. Virgil applies the name here, and in G. 3, 532, to the buffaloes 
or wild oxen of Italy. 

375. lUudwit, ' destroy in sport ' ; see in Lex. I. B. 2. — Pascuntur, ' browse 
upon ' : quam is to be supplied from the foregoing cui. For the construction 
see in Lex. pasco, I. B. 3, b. 

376. Concreta, 'stiff'; see in Lex. under concresco, IL The epithet here 
applied to the cold more properly belongs to the objects affected by it; thus 
also in cana j^rnina, trisiis cura, tarda senectus, etc., an epithet is given to the 
cause from the effect produced. In the same manner we say ' hoar frost,' 
' pale melancholy,' etc. 

377. Gravis aestas, * severe ' or ' oppressive summer-heat.' Wagner takes 
gravis for graviter] cf. on G. 1, 163. — Incumbens scojmlis, 'lying on the rocks,' 
and therefore heating them thoroughly. Vineyards were often planted on 
rocky hills, K. Cf v. 522. 

378. Illi, dative. — Venenum, cf on v. 196. 

379. Stirpe. Virgil makes stirps masculine, when speaking of the stock 
of a tree. See in Lex. and Gr. § 64, 3. 

380. A digression on the festivals of Bacchus, in Greece and Italy, vs. 380 
— 396. This is the reason, the poet says, why the goat is universaUy sacri- 
ficed to Bacchus, to which sacrifice, he adds, the origin of tragedy and of the 
ascoliasmus, (see on v. 384), is to be traced. Tragedy is said to have derived 
its name, i. e. rpaytitSia, literally 'the goat-song,' from rpayos, 'a he-goat,' be- 
cause the Athenians, when celebrating the festivals of Bacchus in early 
times, (on which occasions poets were wont to be present and vie with each 
other in songs), used to give a he-goat as the prize to the victor, who then 
sacrificed it to Bacchus. These songs were the germ of tragedy. Cf car- 
m.ine qui tragico vilem certavit ob hircum, Hor. A. P. 220. 

381. Veteres ludi, ' the ancient plays,' i. e. plays in ancient times, the first 
plays. — Ineunt for inierunt, Gr. § 145, I. 3. Ineunt proscenia, ' entered upon 
the stage,' i. e. were acted or exhibited. 

382. Praemia. For the ' prize ' here spoken of, cf. on v. 380. — Tngeniis, 
see in Lex. II. B. 1 : poets are referred to. — Pages, ' the villages.' 

383. Thesidae for Athenienses, see in Lex. — Inter pocula, ' while drinking.' 



BOOK II. NOTES. 251 

384. This line refers to the dcrKwXinafjids, or dance on goat-skin bottles, 
which took place at the Dionysia. Goat-skins were filled with wine, or in- 
flated, and smeared with oil, and the rustics tried who could dance on them 
with one leg. Their numerous falls of course excited the merriment of the 
spectators.' He who succeeded in dancing in this way without falling was 
victor, and carried off the goat-skin of wine, if., Forb., Br. 

3S5. Ausonii, ' the Italians ' in general ; though it was true only of the 
Latins, the Albans and the Romans, that they could be said to be Troja missi, 
i. e. descended from the companions of Aeneas, Fori. Two festivals seem 
to be alluded to, that of the Liberalia, which took place in the spring, and 
another (vs. 393, sq.), which was celebrated after the vintage, Wr. — Coloni, 
' farmers,' ' rustics.' 

388. Versibus incomptis, ' with unpolished verses,' * with rude verses,' per- 
haps the Saturnian. — Soluto, ' unbounded,' ' immoderate.' 

387. Ora horrenda, 'horrid masks.' — Corilcibus, i. e. e corticibus. Cf. on 
G. 1, 262. 

389. Osdlla. These were little images of the face of Bacchus, and were 
hung from trees, so as to be easily moved by the wind. Any place towards 
which the faces turned was believed to be thereby rendered fertile. — Mollia, 
i. e. mobilia, Philarg., from which it is contracted. IFr., ' easily moved,' 'wav- 
ing'; or perhaps, 'mild,' 'pleasant,' cf. caput honestum, v. 392. 

391. Comjjlentur, scil. ubere, 'with fruitfulness ' or 'fruit,' Wr., 'teem.' 

392. Ft quocumque, etc. Cf. on v. 389. — Honestiim=pulchrum, Serv. ; see 
in Lex. 11. B.; 'comely,' Con. 

393. Bicevius, cf. on E. 3, 65. — Honor em^audes, Wr. 

394. Carminibus patriis. These were an ancient kind of Roman song, in 
common use in celebrating the praises of Bacchus, Forb. — Lancesque et liba, 
i. e. et lances libaque. These dishes were filled with first fruits, as an offering 
to the god, Wr., or were for the exta, as in v. 194, Con. 

395. Ductus. The victims were led with a slack rope to the altar, for if 
they were reluctant it was thought an ill omen, M. Ducere .and stare are 
words appropriate to sacrifice, H. — Sacer, ' devoted,' Con. 

396. Colurnis. Servius says that liazel spits were used because the hazel 
was injurious to the vine ; cf. on v. 299, Con. Such parts of the victim as 
Avere not consumed on the altar were feasted upon by the worshippers, H. 

397. Est eliam, etc. He now returns to the vineyards, and shows what 
labor further attends the culture of them, in frequent digging, dressing and 
pruning, M. — Alter refers to v. 371. 

398. Fxhausti (or exhausiionis, Serv.; but the word exhaustio is without 
classical authority. The meaning is qui numquam satis exhauritur, H., ' which 
is never sufliciently performed,' is never ended. This use of the neuter 
participle as a substantive was common with Lucretius. — Namque=nempe, H. 

399. Scindendum. This probably refers to the ploughing, though it may 
also be understood of turning up the ground with the prongs of the bidens.— 
Ver-sis, ' reversed,' i. e. turned over so that the back of the bidens could be 
used in breaking the clods. 



252 BOOK II. NOTES. 

400. Aeternum., see in Lex. aeternus, 2. 

401. Neimis. Cf. on v. 308. — The object in ' lightening ' the vineyard of 
Its leaves, (as if from a troublesome burden), was to give the sun access to 
the grapes. — Eedii acjricoUs, etc. ; construe, laboj^ (9!^") adits est redit in ai^bem 
agricolis, H., ' the labor which has been finished returns in rotation,' etc., 
comes round in its course to be again performed ; or labor actus in orbem, 
' moving in a ring,' Con. 

402. Atque, etc. The construction is, atque annus volvitur in se per sua 
vestigia, ' and the year rolls round upon itself along its own track,' repeating 
the same course from year to year. Annus, i. 6. ' the labor of the year.' 

403. Jam oUm is nearly equivalent to jam turn in v. 405, Forb., 'now at 
length,' oUm referring here to future time. — Stras, ' late,' as having continued 
on the vines late into the autumn.— Posz«7, ' has laid aside,' ' has shed.' 

404. Silvis, ' from the gi-oves,' i. e. of trees which were the supports of the 
vine. Perhaps, however, it may refer to the woods in general.. The time of 
year here alluded to was Nov. or Dec. — Honorem, see in Lex. II. B. — Servius 
says this line is borrowed from Varro Atacinus. 

405. Jam. turn, ' even then.' — Acer, ' active,' ' diligent.' 

406. Dente, i. e. falce, ' pruning hook.' Saturn was usually represented 
with a pruning hook in his hand. — Relictam, ' deserted,' i. e. forsaken by or 
stripped of its leaves ; cf. v. 403. 

407. Persequitur. Cf. terram inseciari rastris, G. 1, 155. 

408. Primus hwnum, etc. Be the fii-st to dig and prune, but the last to 
gather the grapes ; for the more thoroughly ripe they are the better will be 
the wine, K. 

409. Sarmenta, ' the branches,' cut from the vine, the pi'unings. — Vallos. 
The stakes or poles Avhich supported the vines were to be taken up, at the 
end of the vintage, and placed uiider cover, so that they might not be rotted 
by the rain, H. 

410. Meiito is here used of ' gathering ' the grape, as we have before had 
seges, serere and semina used in speaking of the vine, H. — Bis vitibus, etc 
The leaves must be stripped from the vines twice in the year, in the spring 
and in the autumn, H. 

411. The vineyard must also be weeded twice a year, K. — Segetem, i. e. 
vineam, K. — Herbae, in a wide sense, ' plants,' ' weeds.' 

412. Uterque labm-, scil. of stripping off the leaves and of weeding. — 
Laudato, etc. The thought and connection are; as the labor of cultivating 
vines is so great, a small farm is better than a large one, and therefore you 
may commend a large farm, but it will be better for you to cultivate a smaU 
one. 

413. Nee non, etc. Butchers' broom, reeds and willows are to be cut for 
tying up the vine. Con. — Rusci, cf. on E. 7, 42. 

415. Inculti, because it requires no cultivation, H. — Cura, i. e. in prepar- 
ing rods. — Salicti, cf. on G. 1, 265. 

416. Arbusta reponunt. The trees on which the vines were trained 
having now been pruned, there was no fm'ther occasion for the pruning- 



BOOK II. NOTES. 253 

hook, Wr. Cf. on E. 2, 70. Eeponunt^ ' lay aside,' i. e. permit it to be laid 
aside, require it no longer. 

417. Jam canit, etc. The order is, jam vinitor extremus canit effectos antes, 
'now the farthest vine dresser sings the corapleted rows,' i. e. rejoices because 
his labor is' ended. The vine-dresser is termed extremus as having come to 
the end of the vines, i. e. in pursuing his labor of pruning, etc., he has reach- 
ed the furthest part of the vineyard, and so has arrived at the end of his 
w^ork. The reading in the text is that restored by Wagner, and since gen- 
erally adopted. There are many other readings, as extremos effetus, effeios 
extremus^ etc. Canit, see in Lex. 11. 2. 

418. Pulvisque movendus ; see pulveratio in Lex. The pulveratio appears 
to have been a distinct process founded on the belief that dust was beneficial 
to vines. Con. 

419. Jupj)iter, ' the weather,' ' storms.' — Uvis, for or by the grapes. 

420. Of trees requiring little or no culture, vs. 420 — 457. — Nan ulla is a 
rhetorical exaggeration. They do not need the same constant attention as 
the vines. Con. 

422. Qiium semel haeserunt, ' when once they have become fixed,' i. e. have 
taken root, after being transplanted from the nursery, H. — Aurasque tulerunt, 
and have borne,' or ' stood the breezes.' Cf. vs. 318, 332, sq. 

423. Ipsa=sponte. Cf. on E. 4, 21, Forb. — Satis, ' the plants,' i. e. the young 
olives. — Dente unco, i. e. bidente, H., or perhaps =vomere, Wr. 

424. Cum vomere, i. e. ' if ploughed,' ' as sure as the ploughshare is put in 
the ground, Wr., Con. Others say, quum vomere, soil, recluditur. — Gravidas 
fruges, ' heavy,' ' weighty fruits,' i. e. heavy olives. 

425. Hoc, like t(^ in Homer for hia TovTo=propter hoc, prqpterea, H. But 
with M. and Con. I prefer the explanation ' by this,' soil, arando. — Nutriior^ 
imperative of the deponent nutrior. This is the only instance of such use of 
nutrior, though Priscian says that the older writers employed it instead of 
nutrio. 

426. Poma, ' fruit trees,' of any kind: &&Q pomum, II. in Lex. and cf. ou 
V. 34. — Quoque, ' also,' i. e. like the olive. — Ut primum., etc., * as soon as they 
feel their trunks to be strong,' i. e. as soon as they become strong. 

427. Vires suas, 'their own strength,' i. e. the necessary sap, H. — Raptim= 
rapide, Con. 

428. Vi propria, ' by their own proper force,' i. e. by their own nature. 

429. He speaks here of wild trees. — Nee minus, ' and not less,' soil, than 
the trees that have been named. — Interea, i. e. while we are cultivating the 
vine, olive, etc. 

430. Sanguineis, such as the elder, cf. E. 10, 27. — Aoiaria, i. e. the woods. 

431. Tondentur ctjtisi. Cf. E. 1, 79. 

432. This verse is a poetic amplification of taedas ministrat, Con. 

433. M dubltant, etc. The meaning is : When these things are so, will any 
one hesitate to plant these trees and to bestow on them the little care which 
they require? For the force of et see in Lex. II. 7. 

22 



254 BOOK II. NOTES. 

434. Quid majora sequar, ' why shall I pursue greater things,' i. e. why 
shall I go on to speak of the larger trees, since even the smaller are valuable. 

435. Illae, emphatic, ' even they,' K. 

436. Sepem, cf. E. 1, 54, 55. — Satis^ ' crops,' including not only corn, but 
plantations of vines, olives, etc. //. — Pabula melli. Conington says this is 
not for pabula apibus, (as Heyne explains it), but a poetic confusion of pabula 
apibus and materiam melli. 

437. Et, as employed here in resuming the subject which had been inter- 
rupted at V. 434, is emphatic. — Undantem. He applies this participle, ' wav- 
ing,' which properly belongs to the trees, to the hill on which they grew, K. 

438. Naryciae^ i. q. Bruttiae, since Naryx or Narycium was a city of the 
Locri Eplcnemidii, in Greece, a colony of whom settled in Bruttium, Wr. ; 
see Sila in Lex. — Arva^ ' fields,' covered with woods. — Picis for piceae. 

439. Obnoxia, see in Lex. II. B. 

440. Caucasia. The Caucasus is put poetically for any woody mountain, 
Forb. — Steriles opposed to frugiferae. 

441. Feruntque, 'and carrj^ away,' i. e. such parts as are broken off. 

442. Aliae., scil. silvae^ Forb. — Fetus, ' products,' i. e. different kinds of 
timber, K. — See Gr. § 207, K. 32. — Viile with navigiis. 

443. A hypermeter verse. 

444. Hinc, i. e. de silvis, Serv., i. e. from other trees that grow in them, 
ash for example, K. : so Forb. and Con. Burmann, who is followed by Wr., 
in his smaller edition, joins hinc — hiiic, in the sense ex alia — ex alia arbore. — 
Radios, see in Lex. B. 1. — Trivere, cf. on G. 1, 49, and see in Lex. tero, B. 2. — 
Tympana, ' drums,' i. e. Avheels made solid or all in one piece, K. 

445. Virgil expresses himself as if the farmer built ships, meaning no more 
than that the trees which the farmer is encouraged to plant and cultivate are 
turned to that use. Con. 

446. Viminibus salices fecundae. The twigs of the willows were used to 
bind the vines and to make all sorts of wicker work, M. Viminibus, Gr. § 213, 
R. 5, (3). — Frondibus. The leaves of elms were used as food for cattle. 

447. At, see in Lex. I. — Myrtus, etc. The construction is, myrtus et cornus 
bona hello validis hastiUbus, scil. fecundae sunt, Wr. Hastilibus, ' shafts ' for 
spears, darts, etc., and the cornel is styled bona bello, ' good for war,' because 
it furnished such shafts, Avhich were useful in wai*. 

448. Ituraeos. Iturea was the region of Palestine beyond the Jordan. It 
was inhabited by Arabs famed for their archery. Cf. on E. 1, 55. 

449. Nee tiliae, etc. Connect nee nan iiliae, etc. i. e. etiam tiliae, etc. — 
Torno rasile, ' smoothed by the lathe,' i. e. adapted for smoothing, or readily 
smoothed by the lathe.— 450. Accipiunt, Gr. § 209, R. 12, (3). 

451. Torrentem undam, scil. Padi: Pliny, (3, 10), calls the Po, torrentior^ 
Con. Cf. G. 1, 481, sq. — Alnus. Alders grew abundantly on the banks of the 
Po. Cf. also G. 1, 136. 

452. Missa pado, ' sped down the Po ' : Pado, abl. as in the common phrase 
jlum,ine subvehere, Con. ; or =immissa in Padum, H., ' launched on the Po.' 



BOOK II. NOTES. 255 

453. Vitiosa, ' decayed,' ' rotten.' He speaks of bee-liives made of the bark 
of trees and also from hollow trees. Cf. G. 4, ii.—Alveo, Gr. § 306, 1. 

454. The vine is not only less useful than these forest trees, but it has also 
given occasion to crime. — BaccJieia. The moi-e usual forms of the adj. are 
Baccheus, 'Bacchicus, Bacchius, Forb. 

455. Bacchus, i. e. vinum, K. — Ille furentes, etc. This refers to the battle 
between the Centaurs and Lapithae, at the marriage of Pirithous and Hippo- 
damia; the excess of the Centaurs in wine on that occasion having led to a 
contest in which many of them were slain and the rest put to flight. 
Another version of the story is that Ehoetus and Pholus were put to flight, 
not killed. Cf. Ov. Met. 12, 210, sq. 

457. Cratere. The crater was a large vessel in which, at an entertain- 
ment, the wine stood mixed with the requisite quantity of water, and whence 
it was drawn in the pocula and handed to the guests. The modern ' punch- 
bowl ' and ' glasses ' answer to the ancient crater and pocula, K. The size 
of some of these cratera may be conjectured from A. 9, 346, where Rhoetus 
is represented as hiding behind one, Br. Cf. with this verse, Ingentem man- 
ibus tollit cratera duabus, infregitque viro, Ov. Met. 5, 80, sq. 

458. The praises of a countrj'' life, vs. 458 — 540; a beautiful description, 
often imitated. Cf. Thomson, Autumn, 1132. — Fortunatos nim.ium=fwiuna- 
tisslmos ; see nimius, II. A. 2, in Lex. 

459. Ipsa— sua sponte, cf. on E. 4, 21.. 

460. Huvio, i. e. ex Immo, ' from her soil,* i. e. the ground at the surface 
of the earth; see in Lex. I. — Facilem, ^ensj,'' i. e. easy to be procured, H. 
Wagner makes it equivalent to affluentem, acpdovov. — Justissima, ' most just,' 
not because she returns with interest whatever has been committed to her, 
( T-Fr., K.) but because she gives man all he really needs, Con. 

461. He alludes to the custom, at Rome, of clients coming in the morning 
to their patron's house to pay their respects to him. — Foribus superbis, to be 
taken with domus alia, Con. Gr. § 211, R. 6. But Wr. and Forb. connect 
them with vomit, i. e. per fores magnijicas. 

462. Tutis aedibus, 'from the whole house,' 'from all its apartments.' 
These words, as well as vomit and undam are expressive of the multitude 
of clients. 

463. Varios, i. q. variatos, ' variegated,' ' inlaid.' — Inhiant, ' gloat over,' or 
perhapi=, referring not to the owner but to others, ' nor do men gaze at their 
inlaid doors '=' nor have they inlaid doors for men to gaze on,' Con. — Pastes, 
' door-posts,' or ' doors.' — Testudlne. The wealthy Romans adorned their doors, 
couche?, etc., with tortoise shell, ivory, etc. 

464. lUusas, ' adorned,' ' embroidered ' : ludere artifices dlcuntur rebus varie 
ortiandis indulgentes, Wr. — Vestesz=^stragulas, Wr., 'couch-covers,' etc.— 
Fphyreia, see in Lex. Epliyi^a, II. and Corinthus, II. 1, b. 

465. Assyria is here put for Syrio or Phoenicia. — Veneno, Lex. II. B. 1. 

466. Cusia, see in Lex. casia, 1. — Liquidi, ' clear,' ' pure.' — Usus olivi, i. e. 
the oil in respect to its use, ' the service of the oil,' Con. 



256 BOOK II. NOTES. 

467. At, scil. no7i abest, from v. 471, Wr.—The whole connection is: 
Though the humble farmer has not crowds of morning visitors to pay their 
fulsome adorations, though he has not grand porticos and pillars, inlaid with 
tortoise shell, though furniture-covers ornamented with gold are denied him, ■ 
though no vases of Corinthian brass adorn his mansion and his grounds, and 
though his circumstances will not admit of purple garments and perfumed 
unguents, yet (at), he possesses blessings far beyond these, Br. — Secura, 
i. e. sine cur a, K., 'free from care.' — Nescia fallere, see in Lex. nescius, B. 

468. Opum variarum, ' in various wealth,' of corn, fruits, etc. — Laiis fundis, 
not 'large farms,' {latifundia), but ' broad farms,' i. e. open, and furnishing 
fine prospects ; opposed to the confinement of the city. 

469. Vivi lacus, ' living lakes,' i. e. natural lakes, supplied by streams of 
running water, and not like the artificial reservoirs at Rome. — Frigida Tenvpe, 
' cool valleys,' see Tempe in Lex. II. 

470. Molles somni, i. e. tranguilli et dukes, H. Cf. on E. 7, 45. 

471. Saltvs, etc. There are pastures for cattle, and haunts of wild beasts, 
1. e. hunting. 

472. Operum, scil. rusticorum, Forb. Cf on G. 1, 277. — Exiguo assueta, cf. 
contentus vivere parvo, Tibull. 1, 1, 25, H. 

473. Sacra deum (scil. illic), sanctique patres, ' the sacred rites of the gods 
are there, and venerable parents,' i. e. the worship of the gods is conducted 
there with true devotion, and parents are there held in honor. 

474. Astraea, or Justice, was feigned by the poets to have descended from 
heaven in the Golden Age. She continued upon the earth until the wicked- 
ness of the Brazen Age gave her such offence, that she left mankind and flew 
up to heaven. Aratus says she retired first from cities into the country, M. 
Cf. on E. 4, 6. 

475. He gives the preference to a life devoted to literature and philosophy; 
but if he cannot attain to that, he will adopt a rural life before any other, K. — 
Primuvi is opposed to what follows in v. 483, sq, — Dulces ante omnia, i. e. duU 
cissimae, Wr. ; or take ante omnia with primuvi, ' above all things,' Con. 

476. Quarum sacra fero, ' whose sacred rites I perform ' ; sacra ferre is 
used of any one off"ering a sacrifice, especially of a priest, Wr. Poets are often 
called priests of the Muses, H. — Percussus, ' smitten.' 

477. Accipiant, ' receive,' i. e. receive me with favor while I dedicate myself 
to them. — Caelique mas et sidera, i. e. vias siderum in caelo, ' the courses of the 
stars in the heavens.' Cf. on G. 1, 173. The poet speaks of physical questions 
as his chief study, because the older poets, as Orpheus, Musaeus, etc., were 
said to have paid special attention to such studies, and because Empedocles 
gained great renown by his poem " on Nature." Such subjects admit of high 
poetic adornment, and are therefore much prized by the votaries of the Muses, 
H., Forb., Br. — 478. Labores, ^o(it\ca\\j=defectus. 

479. Unde tremor ierris, i. e. the causes of earthquakes, K. — Qua vi, etc., 
' through what force ' of nature. Something more violent and irregular than 
the tides seems to be denoted by the expressions here used. Con, 

480. Objicibus, '• their barriers,' i. e. ' their shores,' H. 



BOOK II. NOTES. 257 

481. Quid tantum, etc. Why the days are so short and the nights so long 
in winter, K. See note on v. 482. — Oceano se tingere. The ancients supposed 
that the sun set in the ocean. Cf on G. 1, 246. 

482. It might be doubted whether tardis noctibus meant slow in coming or 
slow in going — in other words, whether the epithet was equivalent to aestivis 
or to hibernis^ but it seems to be decided in favor of the latter by Lucr. 5, 
699, Prqjterea nodes hiberno tempore longae cessant, Con. So K., Br., Klotz. 
The former meaning is approved by Serv., Fhilarg., Wr. and others. 

483. Sin—fHgidus sanguis, etc. It was the opinion of some of the ancient 
philosophers that the blood about the heart was the seat of thought, and 
as that was warm or the reverse the mental powers were vigorous or ob- 
tuse. Lucretius makes the heart the abode of the animus, K. 

485. Rigui, ' watering,' ' iiTigating.' 

486. Amem, see in Lex. amo, 4 ; it corresponds with placeant. — Inglxyt^us, 
* without glory,' i. e. without the renown which he would have acquired as a 
philosopher. — 0, ubi campi, etc. : tlie construction is, 0, ubi (sunt) campi — 
(ubi est) qui me sistat, etc. Jahn. The sentence is not interrogative, but 
expresses a wish. — Campi Spercheosque, for campi Sperchei, cf. on G. 1, 173. 

487. Baccliata, ' where the rites of Bacchus were celebrated,' ' the scene 
of the revels,' etc. : bacchata is passive ; see in Lex. 

488. Taygeta, soil, juga, dprj, For-b. 

490. The philosopher is happy in the possession of knowledge, but so also 
is the dweller in the country in his exemption from ambition and all its cares 
and dangers, K. — Qui potuit, i. e. qui potest, H., cf. on G. 1, 49. So of the 
perfects Avhich follow. 

491. Metus omnes, etc. A great object with the ancient philosophers espe- 
cially the Epicureans, was to keep the mind free from all pertiu'bations, such 
as those occasioned by fear or pity (see v. 499), and especially to overcome 
the dread of death and the terrors of a futui-e state, K. — Fatum, ' death,' re- 
garded as the fiat of nature, Con. See in Lex. under for, 11. B. 2, b. 

492. Avari^ ' greedy,' since this river, surrounding Tartarus, devours, as 
it were, all the shades of the dead, restoring none of them to the upper world, 
Forb.—Gf. on vs. 491, 492, Lucr. 3, 37; 1, 79; 3, 14—30, Con. 

493. Foriunatus et illex the calm, which Avas the great boon of philosophy, 
is given also, after its kind, to the lover of the country : felix and fortunatus 
seem practically synonymous, Con. — Deos qui novit agrestes: throughout the 
Eclogues, and particularly in E. 5: 6: 10: the country gods are represented 
as mixing with the human dwellers in the country, (hn. 

494. Nymphosque soroi'es; not sisters of Pan and Silvanus, but of one 
another. 

495. Populi fasces, ' the fasces of the people,' i. e. magistracies bestowed 
by the people. 

496. Flexit^moret, 'moves,' i.e. 'disturbs.' Cf. on v. 490. — Injidos fratres; 
in allusion probably to one of the domestic contests for Eastern thrones, and 
perhaps, as Heyne holds, to that between Tiridates and Phraates for the throne 
of Parthia; they however were not brothers, though relatives. 

22-* 



258 BOOK II. NOTES. 

497. Conjurato ab Eistro, ' from the conspiring Ister.' The Ister is repre- 
sented as conspiring with the Dacians, instead of saying that other nations 
dwelling on the Ister joined the Dacians in making incursions into the Roman 
provinces, E. Cf on G. 1, 509. — Descendens. The Dacians dwelt in the 
monntains beyond the Ister. 

498. Ees Eomanae, etc., ' the affairs of Rome and the kingdoms about to 
perish,' i. e. the wars of the Romans with foreign kmgdoms, destructive to 
the latter, Wr. 

499. Aut doluit, etc. In the country, where aU have enough, distinctions 
of poverty and wealth, and the emotions of pity and envy which they cause, 
are alike unknown, Con. — Habenti, rw exovn, i. e. diviti, Wr.; see in Lex. 
habeo, n. A. 

500. Imitated from Lucr. 5, 937, 938 ; quod sol atque imbres dederant, qttod 
terra crearat sponie sua, satis id placabat pectoi^a donum. 

501. Ferrea, ' unbending,' which cannot be changed by favor, by fear or 
by pity, E. 

502. Insanum forum, ' the mad forum,' so called from the great noise and 
bustle occasioned by the disputants. So rabies, furor, etc. are applied to the 
forum and to pleaders, E. — Tabularia, ' the archives.' Here were kept such 
contracts as the public were interested in, and hence Heyne thinks there is a 
reference to contracts for farming the public revenue, etc. 

503. The pursuits of ambition and avarice as displayed by the dwellers 
in cities, and with which the poet next proceeds (v. 513), to contrast life in 
the country, vs. 503 — 512. Voss and Heyne understand three modes of ob- 
taining wealth as being alluded to in vs. 503, 504, viz. commerce, war and the 
favor of the great. Wr. and Forb. think that these two verses refer to foreign 
war, and v. 505 to civil war. — Freta caeca, like ruunt in ferrum, which fol- 
lows, seems to denote headlong daring. Con. Caeca, ' dark,' ' beset with unseen 
dangers,' ' dangerous.' — Regum, (v. 504), ' the great,' Con. 

504. Ferrum, Gr. § 324, 3. — Aulas et limina, ' the courts and doors.' 

505. Petit excidiis, 'attacks with destruction,' 'brings destruction' or 
*ruin to.' — Vrbem, ' a city,' and not the city of Rome in particular. — Penates, 
' homes.' 

506. Gemma, see in Lex. II. 2, a. (a). 

507. Incubat auro: cf. Congestis undique saccls indurmis inhians, Hor. S. 1, 
1,70. 

508. Hie, the aspirant to eloquence, who is struck dumb with admiration 
of the successful speaker. Con. — Stupet rostris, — ' at the rostra,' like carmini- 
bus stupens, Hor. Od. 2, 13, 33, Forb. — Eunc, the aspirant (Mantem) to political 
greatness, who is caught and carried away {corripidt) by the applause in the 
theati'e {per cuneos) which rewarded popular statesmen, Coji. The order is, 
jplausus per cuneos geminatus, enim pilebisqxie patruinque, cm'7'ipuit Irnnc Man- 
tem. — Plausus jyer cuneos, 'the applause throughout the cunei,'' i- e. from those 
seated there. — Eiantem, see in Lex. hio, B. 2. 

509. Cuneos. In the ancient theatres the rows of seats formed arcs of cir- 
cles, and these increased in compass as they receded from the front. Pas- 



BOOK II. NOTES,' 259 

sages for the spectatoi's to reach their seats ran from back to front, mtersect- 
ing the rows, and thus divitUng them into separate portions, which as they 
were broad above and narrow below were named cunei or ' wedges,' K. — 
Gemlnaius, ' repeated ' ; cf. Populus frequens laetum theatris ter crepuit sonum^ 
Hor. Od. 2, 17, 25. — Enim, see in Lex. I. 

510. Corripuit, 'has seized,' ' has fascinated.' — Gaudent^ (scil. alii)^ perfusi, 
i. e. se 2)e7'fusos esse, Gr. ^ 271, Note 5. Cf. in EngUsh, ' rejoice in being 
bathed.' It is to be explained thus: perfusi sanguine, (i. e. quum pei'fusi 
sint), gaudent, scil. se perfusos esse, Forb. There may be an alhision in this 
and the two following verses to the civil commotions occasioned by Mark 
Antony, and to the soldiers who accompanied him into Egypt: the leading 
thought liowever seems to be the crimes and exile which are frequent in 
cities, but which are unknown in the country. 

511. Limina, ' dwellings,' ' abodes.' — Exsilio, ' a place of exile.' 

512. Alio sub sole^=sub alio climate, Serv. 

513. The advantages of the country ; cf. on v. 503. — Dimovit, cf. on G. 1, 49. 

514. Anni labor, scil. est, i. e. annuus labor, ' his annual labor,' i. e. in til- 
lage. — Nepotes, ' offspring,' ' children.' Lade, and Con. read parvos Penates, 
'little homestead,' and, as Con. observes, this appears better in itself than the 
common reading, nepotes, which can hardly be rendered otherwise than as 
'descendants,' a sense not applicable here ; but the Ms. authority for such 
reading is weak. 

615. Meriios, ' deserving,' having merited their support by ploughing, K. 

516. Requies, i. e. anno, rather than agricolae. Cf. Lucr. 6, 1177, Con. — 
Quin exuberet annus, i. e. ut non exuberet, ' so that the year does not abound,' 
* to the year's abounding,' Gr. § 262, E. 10, note 6, 2. 

518. Oneret sulcos, i. e. before the harvesting. — Horrea vincat, ' conquer the 
barns,' i. e. give such abundant crops that the barns cannot hold them, 
'burst the barns.' Cf. G. 1, 49. 

519. Venit hiems, teritur, for quum venit hiems, teritur, Wr. 

520. Glande laeti, ' content,' ' satisfied with.' Wr. takes glande with redeunt^ 
i. e. a glande, which they have been crunching in the woods. Cf. G. 1, 275. 

521. Ponit, ' lets fall,' ' drops.' Cf. on vs. 14 & 403. 

522. Ap>ricis saxis, cf. on v. 377. — Coquitur, see in Lex. I. 2, b. 

523. Oscula, 'his mouth ' ; implying however, by the use of this diminutive 
form, that the lips are put forth, or to use a common expression, ' the mouth 
is made up ' for a kiss. — 524. Domus, ' family,' for ' wife.' 

525. Demittunt, ' lot down,' i. e. they are large and full, K. — Laeto, ' luxu- 
riant,' cf. on G. 1, 1. — 526. Adversis, ' adverse,' i. e. horn against horn. 

527. Ipse, scil. agricola. — Agiiat, see in Lex. 5. — Fusus ^je?-, 'extended 
along,' ' stretched at his length upon.' 

528. Ignis, i. e. upon the altar. — Socii, i. e. operis riistici, Wr. — Coronant^ 
i. e. with wreaths of flowers. 

529. Lenaee, cf. on v. 4. — Magistris, cf. on E. 2, 33, 

530. Ceriamina ponit, see in Lex. ceriamen, under 1, b. — In uhno. The elm 
itself, or something fastened to it, was the mark, Wr. 



260 



BOOK II. NOTES. 



531. Agresti palaestrae, ' for the ru&tic wrestling.' — Nudant, scil. pecoris 
magistri, there being a change of subject. 

532. This was the mode of life in Italy in the olden time. 

533. Fortis EtruHa crevit, ' powerful Etruria grew,' i. e. Etruria grew 
powerful. In the early days of Kome the Tuscans were powerful both by sea 
and land, K. 

534. Scilicet,' indeed,^ ' without doubt.' — Rerum pulcherrima, i. e. omnium 
puldierima, Wr. — See in Lex. res, I. near the end. 

535. Arces, i. e. colles, Wr. ; cf. on v. 172. 

536. Ante etinm, etc. This Avas also the life of the men of the Golden 
Age, K. — Dictaei regis, i. e. Jupiter, who was said to have been born on 
Mount Dicte, in Crete. Before him Saturn reigned, in the Golden Age, Br. 

537. Imjna gens. In the early ages it was considered a great crime to kill 
an ox. Cf. Bovis tanta fuit apud antiquos veneraiio, ut tarn capital esset, bovem 
necuisse, quam civein, Colum. de Re. Rust. 1, 6: Tanta putabatur utilitas per- 
cipi ex bubus, ut eorum visceribus vesci scelus haberetur, Cic. de N. D. 2, 63. 

538. Aureus Saturnus, Cf. on E. 4, 6 ; the king of the Golden Age. 

539. Classica, see in Lex. 2, a, (P). 

540. Crqjitare, i. e. while they were being forged. 

541. The poet, by a metaphor taken from the circus, indicates that he has 
arrived at the end of the book, Wr. — Immensum spatiis aequor, i. e. iinmenso- 
rum spatiarum, or immensa spatia habens, Forb.; see Gr. § 250, 1. Spatiis, 
' circuits,' ' courses.' Cf. on G. 1, 513. Aequx}r, ' a plain,' ' field.' Cf. on G. 1, 
50, & 2, 105. 

542. Solvere colla, instead of saying, solvere jugum collo impositum. 



p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 



LIBER TERTIUS. 

AKGUMENT. 

I. Subject of the Book (vs. 1, 2), and general introduction, referring to the 
topics selected by other poets, to his own expected success, and his thankful- 
ness to his patron and emperor, Augustus: invocation of Maecenas, (3 — 48). 

II. Of horned-cattle and horses (50 — ^285): viz. 

1. The cow; her marks and age (50—71). 

2. The horse; his marks, his characteristics at different periods of life, 
and his training (72 — 122). 

3. Feeding and preparation of horses for the breeding season (123 — 137). 

4. Care of female during pregnancy (138 — 156). 

5. Tending and training of the young (157 — 208). 

6. Of keeping the male from the excitements of passion and jealousy: 
a combat described (209 — 241). 

7. Of the powerful effect of love on mankind, and on animals generally 
(242—265): mares especially influenced by it (266—283). 

ni. Of sheep and goats (286—473): viz. 

1. General introduction (286—293). 

2. Winter treatment of sheep and goats (294 — §04) : both kinds of ani- 
mals valuable (305—321). 

3. Mode of tending during warm weather (322 — 338): habits of African 
and of Scythian shepherds (339—383). 

4. Ofwool (384—393): of milk (394— 403). 

5. The guarding of cattle: (a) against thieves — by dogs (404 — 413); 
(b) against serpents (414—489). 

6. Diseases: the scab (440—463); the plague (464—473). 
IV. Description of gi-eat plague in Noricum (474 — 566): viz. 

1. Of the cause and characteristics of the disease (478 — 485). 

2. The symptoms as seen in different animals: (a) in the smaller kinds, 
as sheep, calves, dogs, swine (486 — 497); (b) in the larger and stronger 
beasts, horses and cows (498 — 536); (c) in wild animals (537 — 540); (d) in 
other classes of the animal kingdom, e. g. fishes, reptiles and birds (541 — 
547). 

3. Failure of all proposed remedies (548 — 566). Bryce. 



262 BOOK III. ^^OTES. 

NOTES ON THE THIRD BOOK OF THE GEORGICS. 

1. The general subject of this book is the management of cattle and of the 
domestic animals. He commences with the mention of the principal deities 
presiding over them. 

2. Pastor ah Amphryso^ for pastor Amphrysius; cf. on G. 2, 243, and see in 
Lex. ab, C. 2. Respecting Apollo, see on E. 5, 35. — Lycaei. The poet, by 
this mention of Lycaeus, which was sacred to Pan, (cf. on G. 1, 16), and also 
famous for its sheep, indicates a third deity. 

3. Ce<e?'«, ' other subjects.' — Vacuas, 'unoccupied,' 'idle,' having leisure 
to devote to their perusal. — Tenuissent, 'might have charmed' or 'delighted.' 

4. Vulgata, ' common,' ' hackneyed.' — Eurysthea. The poet refers to the 
labors of Hercules. 

6. Cui, scil. poetae. Gr. § 225, ll.—Dlctus, cf. on E. 3, 55. See Gr. § 310, 6. 

8. Acer equis, ' a keen charioteer,' ' a spirited driver.' Gr. § 250, 1. 

9. Fzcior, i. e. having accomplished what I proposed, K. — Virum volitare 
ptr ora, ' to hover before the faces of men,' Co7i. ; or. ' to be in the mouths of 
men,' ' be praised by men,' Wr. 

10. Virgil says that he will be the earliest poet of his country. The na- 
ture of the allegory contained in these lines, (vs. 10 — 39), has been much dis- 
puted. It seems clearly however to be drawn from a Roman triumph, Con. — 
In patriam, i. e. Italy, Con., but Serv., H., Wr. say it means Mantua. — Mode, 
see in Lex. modo^ B. d, under modus. 

11. Aonio vertice, ' from the Aonian height,' or the ' Aonian mount,' as 
Milton has it, i. e. Helicon, which was celebrated as the abode of the Muses, 
JSr. — Eediens, as from a campaign, Con. 

12. Idumaeas. Idumaea was celebrated for its palm-trees. Cf. on E. 1, 55. 
— Palmas, see in Lex. D. b. (0). 

13. Templum ponam. The custom of vowing temples to the gods in battle 
and dedicating them after victory is too well known to need illustration : see 
however Livy, 1, 11, 12; 2, 20. Con. Here Virgil proposes to erect and conse- 
crate a temple to Caesar Octavianus, as his tutelar divinity. JD. 

14. Propter. Cf. on E. 8, 87. — Ingens. The Mincio spread into a lake near 
Mantua. Con. 

16. In medio, scil. te?npU, i. e. in the shrine. It was the custom to place in 
the middle of the temple the statue of the god to whom it was dedicated. M. 

17. lUi, i. e. in honorem Caesaris, Forb. Gr. § 222. — Tpio conspectus in 
ostro. He refers eitlier to the toga picta, worn in the triumph, or to the prae- 
texta, worn by the magistrates at the public games, Con. 

18. Agitabo, ' will drive,' i. e. cause to be driven, by instituting games. — 
Ad Jlumina, 'near to,' or 'along the river,' i. e. the Mincius. R. 

19. The poet intimates that the games which he shall institute in honor 
of Augustus, will be so famous that the Greeks will come to them, forsaking 
their own Olympic and Nemaean games, M.—Alpheum. The Olympic games 
were celebrated near this river. See Pisa in Lex.—MulorcM. See Nemea 
in Lex. 



BOOK III. NOTES. 263 

20. Curslbus, 'in runniug.' — Crudo. See in Lex. B. b. 

21. Tonsae foliis ollvae, ' -with leaves of the stripped olive.' Voss under- 
Btands by tonsae that the leaves are ' clipped,' so as to be of equal length : Heyne 
with probably better reason, thinks it means that the leaves are ' stripped ' 
from the tree, and woven into a wreath: Wagner supposes that in making the 
olive wreath, (worn by those about to offer a sacrifice), the larger leaves were 
* cut off' or ' plucked away,' and only the smaller ones left, that the wreath 
might appear more fine and elegant and not shade the forehead too much. 
This explanation is consistent with that of Servins, minutis foliis compositae. 

22. Dona, See in Lex. 2. — Jam nunc, etc. He speaks of the games which 
he proposed to institute as if they were now on the point of being celebrated. 
— Ducere pomjxis. The ceremony referred to was that of caiTying the images 
of the gods in solemn procession to the circus before the commencement of 
the ludi Circenses, Br. 

24. Vel scena, etc. There are to be dramatic entertainments also. — Vei'sis 
frontihus. The poet refers to the scena versatilis or revolving scene, which 
turned on a pivot and so presented different faces or views. 

25. Tollant. The ancient curtain rose from the stage at the conclusion of 
a piece, (cf. aulaeum, 1. in Lex.), and it descended when the piece was to be- 
gin. — Intexti Biitanni. He supposes the figures of Britons to be interwoven 
in the aulaeum or curtain, so as to appear to raise the curtain with them as 
they rose. The Britons sued for peace to Augustus, a. u. c. 727, when he 
■was in Gaul preparing to invade them, Con. 

26. He recurs to the temple, to describe its ornaments, pai-ticularly the 
sculptm-e in gold and ivory on its doors, K. The combination of ivoiy and 
gold Avas common in ancient statuary, the ivory representing the flesh. Con. 

27. Gangaridum, here used for the people of the East. Cf. on G. 2, 172. — 
Arma Quirini, ' tlie arms of Quirinus,' poetically for Quirino in armis or ar- 
mato, H. See Quirinus, III. in Lex. 

28. ffic, soil, fadam. — Undantem bello, ' swelling with war,' i. e. with 
warlike feeling. The allusion here is to Antony and Cleopatra, and to their 
defeat by Octavianus. — Magnum jluentem, tto'/.vv piovTu, 'flowing onward with 
full stream.' 

29. Columnas. Servius says that Augustus constructed four columns from 
the beaks of ships captured in that naval engagement, and that these were 
afterwards placed by Domitian in the Capitol. 

30. Addam, etc. There will also be there cities conquered in Asia, and 
victories gained over the Armenians, (indicated by their mountain Niphates), 
and the Parthians, K. In such cases cities were represented under the figures 
of women. — Niphaten. Cf. on G. 2, 497. 

31. Fidentemque fuga, etc. Alluding to the manner of warfare of the Par- 
thians, who used to fly from their enemies, and at the same time shoot their 
arrows behind them : compare the description in Milton, P. E. 3, 323 : 

How quick they wheeled, and flying, behind them shot 
Sharp sleet of arrowy shower against the face 
Of their pursuers, and oercame by flight. 



264 BOOK in. NOTES. 

32. Dlverso ex hoste, i. e. dwelling in opposite portions of the earth — the 
East and. the West. See on the next verse. 

33. Bisque triumphatas. The two triumphs in the East were, first, in the 
defeat of Antony and Cleopatra in the years 31 and 30 B. C, and second, in 
the restoration by the Parthians, in B. C. 20, of the Roman standards which 
had been taken from Crassus: those in the West were, the subjugations of 
the Cantabri, B. C. 25, and again, after their rebellion, B. C. 22. The Britons 
also might be included; cf on v. 25, Wr. — Utroque ah lit07-e, to be construed 
Avith gentes, ' the nations from,' i. e. ' of either shore,' i. e. the shores of the 
]\Iediterranean and of the Ocean. Ab here denotes origin or place of habita- 
tion : cf. on V. 2, Forb. — It is probable that lines 30 — 33 were added shortly 
before Virgil's death. 

34. Stabunt, etc. Marble statues of the Trojan ancestoi-s of Augustus, 
(who was adopted into the Julian gens)^ are to be placed in this temple. 

35. The descent oi lulus, (the ancestor of the gens Julia), from Jupiter is 
traced as follows : Jupiter was the father of Dardanus, who was the father of 
Ericthouiiis, who was the father of Tros, who Avas the father of Assaracus, 
who was the father of Capys, who was the father of Anchises, who was the 
father of Aeneas, who was the father of Ascanius, called also lulus. — Bemis- 
sae, see in Lex. demissus, II. 4. 

36. Trojae auctor. Cf. on G. 1, 502. ApoUo Avas the tutelary deity of 
Augustus, who Avas even called the son of Apollo. 

37. In another part of this temple Envy is represented, but as overcome 
and cast down to Hades. This is emblematic of the triumph of Augustus 
over his enemies, (so that the invidious were obliged to be silent), and of the 
conclusion of the civil Avars, Br. It is probable, as Voss and Wr. suppose, 
that the poet here refers to a painting. — Severum, ' gloomy,' ' dreadful.' 

38. Angues. Virgil represents Ixion as bound to the wheel by serpents; 
the other version of the legend says, chains, B7\ 

39. Non exsuperabile saxum, ' the stone that cannot be overcome,' i. e. that 
cannot be rolled to the summit. See Sisyphus in Lex. 

40. Such will be my future occupation ; meantime I Avill continue my 
poem and sing of cattle, K. — Dryadum. Cf. on G. 1, 11. 

41. Tniactos, ' untried,' ' unattempted,' i. e. not hitherto sung by any Roman 
poet. — Maecenas. Cf. on G. 1, 2. 

42. Ahum, 'lofty,' ' sublime.'— £« o^e, etc. These AA^ords are addressed 
by the poet to himself, Cerda, Ruaeus, Voss, Wr., Forb.; others suppose them 
to refer to Maecenas. 

43. Vocat, etc. The meaning is: I seem to hear the cattle, the dogs and 
the horses calling aloud to me to proceed with my song, Wr.— Cithaeron. 
Numerous herds of cattle pastured on this mountain. 

44. Taygeti. The dogs of Laconia Avere famous hunting diOgB.—Ejndaurus. 
All Argolis was noted for its superior horses. 

46. Mox iamen, etc. I now sing of cattle, but I soon Avill venture to cele- 
brate and transmit to posterity the warlike deeds of Caesar, K. — Ardentes, 
'ardent,' 'fiery.' — Accingar dicere, Gr. ^ 270. 



BOOK III. — -NOTES. 265 

48. Tithoni. Tithonus was great-grandson of Tros, and son of Laomedon, 
he was therefore not in the dh'ect line from which the Juhan cjens was de- 
rived, and his name is probably used here only for the sake of variety, K. — 
Pi'ima ab origine, ' from the first origin,' i. e. from the time of. 

49. Choice of a cow for breeding, vs. 49 — 59. He confines himself to the 
cow, on the ground that the qualities of the offspring depend upon the make 
of the mother ; a notion, the truth of which, if not fully acceded to in our 
own times, the Arabians at least are fully persuaded of in the case of horses, 
as appears from their never selling a mare, although they are willing enough 
to dispose of their stallions ; Daubeny. — Seu quis, etc. General direction with 
respect to the breeding of horses and oxen, to attend chiefly to the qualities 
of the mother, K. — Miratus, ' admiring,' has in effect the sense of ' desiring,' 
Con. — Palmae, see in Lex. D. b. fi. 

50. Pascit, ' feeds,' i. e. breeds, K. — Fortes ad aratra, scil. vehenda, Forb. 

51. Torvae, ' grim-looking,' ' stern-looking.' 

52. Turpe caput., ' coarse head,' i. e. large and unsightly, Br. — Phcrlma 
cervix, 'a great deal of neck,' i. e. havhig it both long and thick, K. As cat- 
tle were at this period bred principally for the purpose of draught, strength 
was the first requisite, V. 

54. Turn loncjo, etc., i. e. her side should be very long. — Omnia magna, 
i. e. all her parts should be large. 

55. Pes etlam, scil. magnus est, H. 

56. Nee mihi dlspUceat =valde 2)laceat, Serv. Gr. § 324, 9. — Maculis insig^ 
nis et albo=7nacuUs albis. Cf. on G. 2, 192. 

57. Aut juga, etc., i. e. it is not a bad sign if she refuses to go under the 
yoke, and threatens with her horns, for it shows spirit, K. — AsjJera cornw, 
see in Lex. asper, 5, b. 

58. Faciem, ' looks,' * appearance.' — Ardua iota, * altogether tall,' Br. Cf. 
Vaccae quoque 2)robaniur aliissimae fonnae longaeqtte, Col. 6, 21. 

59. Ft gradiens, etc., ' and as she Avalks, sweeps her footprints with the 
tip of her tail,' Br. 

60. The age for breeding, vs. 60 — 71. — Aetas x><^i'h GJi". § 270, K. 1, c. — 
L^icinam, ' a bringing forth,' ' birth.' — Jiistos, ' proper,' as taking place at a 
suitable age. 

62. Cetera, scil. aetas, i. e. before four and after ten years, K. 

63. Interea, ' meanwhile,' i. e. between the fourth and the tenth year, H. 
— Superat=svperest, ' remains,' Cvn. ; Wagner explains it ,by abunde est, but, 
as Con. observes, v. 66 seems to point to the former meaning. 

64. Solve. The males were kept confined for some time previous to the 
breeding season, Br. — 3Iitte in Venerem, etc., ' be the first to give your cattle 
the pleasures of love.' Primus. Cf. on G. 2, 408. 

66. Optima quaeque, etc., ' each best time of life for wretched mortals,' 
i. e. ' the best time of life for all wretched mortals.' He makes here a general 
reflection on the flight of time, carrying away the days of youth {optima dies 
aevi), which are our best and happiest, K. 

68. Eapit, Gr. § 209, R. 12, (2), 'hurries on.'— Labor, 'sickness.' 



266 BOOK III. NOTES. 

69. Semper erunt, etc. He returns to tlie subject of breeding, by observ- 
ing that in a man's stock there will always be some that he does not like, and 
for which he would wish to substitute others, K. — Quarum corpcn^a, periphras- 
tic for quas, H. 

70. Enim=^i(j'dur^ as yap is used for ap«, 5>;, H., ' therefore,' ' then.' — Amissa, 
=quae amiseris, Con. ; scil. corpora. — Requiras, ' feel the want of.' 

71. Anieveni, ' anticipate,' ' be beforehand.' — Subolem, ' young cattle,' ' a 
supply of young ones,' Con. — Sortire, see in Lex. B. 2. 

72. On the breeding of horses, vs. 72 — 94. Here however it is the sire, not 
the dam that he describes, led pi-obably by his poetic feeling, as he thus has 
an ampler field for description, K. — Pecori equlno, ' a stud of horses.' 

73. Quos, i. e. Us quos. — Sjjem. Cf on E. 1, 15. — Submittere. Cf. on E. 1, 46. 

74. Jcmi huh a teneris^ i. e. ' even from foals.' Cf. on G. 2, 272. 

75. Continuo^ ' from the very first.' Cf. on G. 1, 169. — Pecoris, ' cattle,' i, e. 
'horses,' 'breed of horses.' — PuUus, 'colt.' 

76. Aldus iiifjreditur, ' walks quite high,' or ' tall.' He looks tall as he 
walks, because he has long and straight legs, M. Cf. aequaUbus atque altis 
rectisque cruribus, Col. 6, 20. Coningtou thinks the meaning is, ' steps higher.' 
— Mullia, 'pliant,' 'flexible.' Cf. on E. 2, 72. — Reponit^ 'bends' or 'throws 
back ' ; see in Lex. B. "Wagner explains it by humi vidssim ponit, ' sets down 
alternately.' 

77. Primus et ire viam, etc. He shows courage by taking the lead. — Ire 
viam, Gr. § 232, (1). 

78. Ponti. The bridges meant were probably wooden, K., Con. 

79. Vanos, ' vain,' ' idle,' i. e. in which there is no real terror, K. 

80. Arrjutum, ' expressive,' as conveying to the beholder, by its very form, 
evidence of the generous blood of the horse; 'clearly defined,' 'neat,' Con.; 
perhaps also including the idea of graceful motion. 

81. Luxuriat toris, ' abounds in muscles,' i. e. is broad and full, K. — 
Bonesti, from the context, must mean ' good,' rather than ' handsome,' Con. 

82. Albls. There is no distinction intended by Virgil between albus and 
candidus as applied to the color of a horse: the poet condemns white only as 
a color for stallions, M. 

83. Si qua, ' if by chance.' A further proof is here given of the spirit 
of the horse ; but the description applies only to the trained Avar horse, and 
not to tlie colt, as above, K. 

84. Stare loco., ' to stand still.' — Nescit, see in Lex. II. B. — Ilicat auribus, 
' he twitches as to his ears,' i. e. 'his ears twitch' or 'quiver.' — Tremit artus; 
cf on E. 1, 55, ' his limbs tremble,' i. e. with excitement. 

85. I(jnem, i. e. the hot breath. 

86. Jactata^ ' after being tossed up,' Con. 

87. Duplex spina, i. e. the flesh rising on each side of the spine forms a 
ridge, and so presents the appearance of a double spine. — Agitur per, ' runs ' 
or ' extends along.' 

88. Solido cornu. A hard and thick hoof would be especially requisite 
when horses were not shod with iron, Con. 



BOOK III. NOTES. 267 

89. Pollucis. The poets commonly represent Castor as famous for horse- 
manship, and Pollux for fighting with the caestus. — Talis, scil.f tdi. 

90. Cyllarus, the name of a horse said to have been presented by Juno to 
Castor and Pollux. 

91. Curr'us, i. e. equi. Cf. on G. 1, bli.—AcMlli. Cf. on E. 8, 70. 

92. Tails et ipse, etc. The poet alludes to the legend that Saturn, in order 
to avoid being discovered by his wife, Ops, coming suddenly upon him while 
he was in company with Philyi-a, changed himself into a horse. Ijise. Cf. on 
E. 8, 96. — Cervice effudit equina., ' spread out upon that horse's neck of his.' 

93. Adventu pernix, ' swift at the arrival,' i. e. exerting himself and moving 
swiftly. Observe the derivation of pernix, in Lex. 

94. Pellon. Because the north of Thessaly, where Mount Pelion lay, was 
the scene of this adventure, K. — Acuio, ' clear,' ' sharp.' 

95. The stallion, when affected by disease or old age, is no longer to be 
employed, vs. 95 — 102, K. — Hunc quoque, i. e. even this perfect horse, Ckrn. 

96. Abde domo, ' hide at home ' ; domo, the dat. form domum; i. e. keep him 
at home, away from the mares, and employ him at various kinds of work, K. 
This interpretation is approved by Voss, Wr., Forb. and Con., but Heyne and 
some others take the meaning to be, ' send him away from home,' ' send him 
off".' — Nee turpi iqnosce senectae, ' and do not indulge his shameful old age,' 
' do not suffer him to disgrace himself in his old age,' i. e. do not, out of com- 
passion and regard for him, leave him with the mares when he has become 
past use through age, K., Voss., Wr., Con. But Servlus, Forb. and others con- 
nect nee with turpi, * spare his not inglorious old age.' 

97. In Venerein, ' to love.' — Senior, ' an old horse.' 

98. Trahit, * drags on,' ' performs.' — Ad proelia, ' to an engagement,' scil. 
Veneris. — Ingratum, 'fruitless,' Con. 

99. Quondam. See in Lex. IL — In stipulis, etc. Cf. G. 1, 84, sqq. — Sine vi- 
ribus, ' without strength,' because the straw is its only fuel, Con. 

100. Animos, ' courage,' ' spirit.' 

101. Iline, ' after this,' ' afterwards,' ' then.' — Alias artes, ' other qualities.' 
— Prolem parenium, ' the offspring of his progenitors,' i. e. his breed, pedi- 
gree, traced from the parents of the stock, Serv., Wr., Forb. 

102. Et quis cuique, etc. how each of them was affected by defeat or vic- 
tory in the race. 

103. A description of a chariot race, vs. 103 — 112, imitated from the Iliad, 
23, 362 — 372. — Nonne vides; a favorite Lucretian exjDression. 

104. Corripuere, 'seize.' Cf. on G. 1, 49: so Shakspeare says: " He seemed, 
in running, to devour the way," Br. 

105. Spes arrectae, a poetical variety for animi nrrecti spe. Con. — Juvenum, 
i. c. auricjar'um, Serv. — Exsidtantia, ' bounding,' ' thi-obbing.' — Haurit. See in 
Lex. I. B. 2, near the end. Their interest in the race, and consequent ex- 
citement, propels the blood more quickly from the heart, and hence, as it 
were, exhausts it of blood. Cf. KapSia ^d/?o; (ppiva ?.aKTti^ii, Aesch. Prom. 906. 

100. Pavor, 'anxiety.' — Verbere=flagello. — Torio, 'circling,' Con. 



268 BOOK in. NOTES. 

107. Proni. The reins were passed round tlie body of the driver, so that 
he naturally leant forward when at full speed, Con. — Volat t*i, i. e. volat cum 
impetu, H. — Axis. This was a very conspicuous part of the ancient chariot, 
because the car was so small and light. Con. 

108. Jamque humiles, etc. He refers to the bounding of the chariots, and 
not to a motion of the charioteers independent of that. Cf. Horn. II. 23, 
368, 369, Con. 

109. In auras, 'into the air,' * on high.' — Sublime with ferri or elati. 

111. Sumescunt, scil. aurigae. 

112. Amor laudum, ' desire of praise,' i. e. with the horses. See v. 102. 

113. Chirrus et quattuor jungere equos=currui quattuor jungere equos, Con. 

114. Rotis, 'the wheels,' i.e. 'the chariot.' — Tnsisttre, 'to stand upon,* 
because the charioteer drove standing upright in the chariot. — Victor, i. e. in 
the chariot-race, or in battle. 

115. Frena gyrosque dedere, ' gave the bridle and the ring,' i. e. taught 
the use of the bridle, and how to train horses by making them go round in 
the ring. He represents the Lapithae as the inventors of the art of horse- 
manship. 

116. Impositi dorso, ' mounted on their backs.' — Sub armis=ziarmatum. 

117. Insidtare solo. He attributes to the rider what properly belongs to 
the horse. — Gressus glomerare sujjerbos, ' to prance proudly.' 

118. Aequus uterque labor. The poet now returns to the subject introduced 
in V. 100, that youth and vigor are indispensable, juvenem calidumque animis 
answering to animos aevumque. Labor, the difficulty of providing a good stal- 
lion, is aequus in both cases, that is, whether you wish to breed racers or 
chargers. Con. — Juvenem, scil. equum. 

119. Cursibus acrem, ' eager in the race.' 

120. Quamvis saepe, etc., i. e. whatever may have been his former exploits, 
or the country of his birth, or his pedigree, he is not to be selected as a stal- 
lion unless he also have youth and spirit. — Fuga versos for in fugam ver- 
sos, H. 

121. Fpiimm. Cf. on G. 1, 59. — Myceiias, for ArgoUs. Cf. on v. 44. 

122. Neptunique ipsa, etc. He refers to the story of the birth of the horse 
Arion, Avhich was said to have been the offspring of Neptune and Ceres. 
Nepluni ipsa origine, ' from the very origin of Neptune,' i. e. from Neptune 
himself as progenitor. Or the reference may be as in G. 1, 12. 

123. His aniinadversis, i. e. moiHbus et aetate deprehensis, Serv. — Instant, 
scil. magistri, v. 118, — -' are attentive ' or ' diligent.' — Sub tenipms, scil. admit- 
iendi, i. e. appropinquante admissurae ternqjore, Wr. 

124. Impendunt curas distendere, i. e. in eum distendendum, Forb. — Denso, 
' firm.' 

125. Legere. See in Lex, 2. lego, I. B. 2. — PecoH is to be taken both with 
ducem and maritum, Con. — Dixere. See in Lex. 2. dico, I. B. 7. 

126. Florentes, 'flowering', ' blossoming,' indicating the kind of herbage, 
as vetches or clover, Con. — Secant and ministrant imply that the animal is 
kept up, Con. 



BOOK III. NOTES. 269 

127. Superesse. See in Lex. I. B. 

128. Beferant, ' repeat,' i. e. resemble him in his leanness. 

129. Ipsa armenta, ' the herd itself,' as distinguished from its dux and mai^ 
tus; that is, the mares, Con. — Volentes, 'purposely.' 

130. Ubi-primos for ubi primum, Wr., ' when first,' ' as soon as ' ; but Forb. 
takes concubitus primos to mean ' the first intercourse ' of the season. 

132. Gursu, ' by running.' — Sole, * by the sun,' i. e. ' by the heat of the sun.* 

133. Quum graviter, etc., i. e. when the grain is threshed and winnowed. 

135. Hoc faciunt, etc. He gives the physical reason of this practice in a 
figurative form, K. — Luxu, ' pampering,' and hence, * fatness,' obesitate, H. — 
Ne obtusior usus sit geniiali arvo, ' that the use of the generative field may 
not be too blunted.' Cf. on G. 2, 466. 

136. Sulcos oblimet ineries, ' overspread the sluggish furrows.' 

138. Care of the mothers after conception, vs. 138 — 156. — Patrum, * sires.' 
— Cadere, 'to give way,' 'cease.' — Matrum, 'dams.' 

139. Exactis mensibus, ' the months being completed,' i. e. when they are 
near their time of bringing forth. 

140. Nan. Cf. on G. 1, 456. — Plaustris, 'with the wagons,' abl. =juga 
gravium jylaustrorum, Con. : Wr., K. and Forb. say it is the dat. Gr. § 222, 1, 
' the yokes for tlie wagons,' i. e. by which they are moved forward. 

141. Scdtu superare vlam, ' to leap over the path ' or ' road ' ; or it may 
mean, as K. and Con. think, ' to leap out of the road.' He has just before said 
that they must not be put to hard work, and he now adds, that they must be 
kept from violent exercise, in leaping, running, etc. 

142. Carpere pratn, ' to scour,' or ' to gallop over the meadows.' — Rapaces, 
'rapacious,' alluding to the swift current of the sti-eam; 'rapid.' 

143. Vacuis, i. e. aperils, Serv., ' open,' free from rocks or other impedi- 
ments; or, 'lonely,' ' quiet,' where they will be undisturbed, H. — Pascunt, i. e. 
magistri or armeiitarii pascunt (' pasture ') eas. — Plena flumina: that they may 
get water without straining themselves by scrambling up and down the banks. 

144. Musctis vbi, scil. sit, Wr. — Ripa (sit) viridissima. 

146. The order is, circa lucos Silari, Alburnumque virentem ilicibus, est 
plurimus voliians. 

147. VoUtans, used substantively, Serv. Plurimus volitans, * a flying in- 
sect in great numbers.' — Cui nomen asilo, Gr. § 204, R. 8, (a). Asilo. This 
insect, (according to the authority of a work by Antonius Vallisnierus, print- 
ed at Padua in 1723, as quoted by Martyn), penetrated into the skin of cattle 
with its sting, causing intolerable pain to the animals, and deposited an egg 
in the wound. The egg thus deposited was hatched within the wound, and 
the worm continued there till ready to turn to a chrysalis. 

148. Oestrum veriere vocantes, ' have translated it, calling it oestrus,^ i. e. 
have translated it into their language, giving it the name oestrus. 

149. Asper. See in Lex. 5, b. Cf. Asper, acerba tuens, Lucr. 5, 34. — 
Acerba sonans, for acerbe. Cf. on E. 3, 63. — Quo tota exterrita, etc. Homer, 
Od. 22, 299, sqq. represents the suitors, who had long fought with Ulysses, on 
Minerva's raising up her shield, flying like oxen from the oestrus, M. 

23* 



270 BOOK III. NOTES. 

150. Furit mufjitibus aether^ for furii mugitus per aetlierem^ i. e. aether re- 
sonat furieniium muffitu, H. 

151. Sicci marks the heat of summer, when the stream is dried up, 21. 

152. Monstro. Cf, on G. 1, 18b.—£xercuit. See in Lex.. B. 

153. Inachiae juvencae ; referring to lo and the gadfly Avhich Juno sent to 
torment her. See under Inachus and lo in Lex. Cf. Ov. Met. 1, 588, sqq. and 
Aesch. Prom. 567, 674. — Pestem^ ' a plague,' ' torment.' 

154. Acrior instat, i. e. saevius vexat, H. 

155. Arcebis, Gr. § 267, E. 2; 259, K. 1, (4).— Pecori. Cf. on E. 7, 47. 

156. Ducentibus, ' leading on.' The stars are said to usher in the night, 
because they are seen before the night has closed in. Con. 

157. Rearing of calves, vs. 157 — 178. — Traduciiur, 'is transfen'ed,' i. e. 
from the mothers. 

158. Notas et noviina gentis, a hendiadys, for notas nominum, etc. K., i. e. 
notas gentem indicantes, Forb. — Inurunt. Cf. on G. 1, 263, and G. 3, 312. 

159. Ei, scil. signnnt eos, qvx)s\ the verb being supplied from the meaning 
of the preceding verse, John. , ' designate ' ; but H. and Voss supply inurunt 
notas tJs, after et. — Pecori habendo. Gr. § 275, IIL E. 2. Cf. on G. 1, 3. — 
Submitter e. Cf. on E. 1, 46. 

161. Eorrentem, ' bristling,' ' rough.' 

162. Cetera, i. e. all those which are not intended for breeding, for sacri- 
fices or for labor; viz. such as are raised for milk only, or for the shambles, 
Wr. But ifartyn seems right in referring this line to what follows, making 
cetera include all not designed for agricultural labor. 

163. Here and in the two following lines he borrows language from the 
education of youth, Con. — Ta. Cf. on G. 2, 241. — Studium ati/ue usuin agrestem, 
'rustic studies and use,' i. e. ' rustic employment and service,' labor and ser- 
Tice in agriculture. 

164. Viam insiste, ' enter on the mode,' i. e. begin to. 

165. Faciles, ' easily moulded.' — Dum mobiUs aetas, ' while their age is 
pliant,' i. e. while their age is such that their bodies are pliant or agile. 

166. Ac primum, etc. The gradations of training here specified seem to 
be, 1st, accustoming the calf's neck to a collar; 2d, teaching it to step to- 
gether with another; 3d, teaching two to draw a light weight; 4th, a heavy 
one. Con. — Be. See in Lex. C. 3. — Circlos. See circulus in Lex. 

168. Tpsis e toj-quibus aptos, ' fastened together from,' i. e. ' by the collars 
themselves.' The torques are the same here as the circidi, v. 166, ipsis having 
virtually the force of {«7em, as Wagner remarks. Perhaps there maybe an 
implied prohibition of a custom which, as Columella, 6, 2, tells us, was justly 
reprobated by most Avriters on agriculture, of yoking bullocks together by the 
horns, Con. 

169. Pares, ' equal,' i. e. in strength. Thus also Varro and Columella say 
that bullocks of equal strength must be yoked together, lest the stronger 
should wear out the weaker, M. — Gradum Lonferre, 'to step together.' 



BOOK III. NOTES. 271 

170. lUis, 'by them.' — Rotae inanes, 'an empty cart.' Cf. on v. 114. 
Varro and Columella give the same direction, the latter recommending that 
they should begin with a branch of a tree, to which a weight should next be 
attached, Qm. 

171. Sufnmo pulvere, expressing the lightness of the cart. — Vestigia^ 
' tracks ' or ' ruts ' of the wheels. 

172. Valido, ' heavy,' ' ponderous.' — Nitens, ' laboring.' — Translated from 
Hom. 11. 5, 838: /xiya 8' 'iPpa^e <p}'jyivos a^(j)v, H. 

173. Junctos orbes, ' the wheels joined to it,' orbes being put for plaustrum. 
Cf. on V. 170. — Temo aereus. In ancient times the pole was plated with 
copper, K. 

174. Pubi. See in Lex. 2. pubes, C. 

175. Vescas, 'small,' 'slender.' — Ulvamque palustrem. Martyn thinks it 
probable that the ' marshy sedge ' here spoken of is the ' cat-tail.' 

176. Frumenta sata, i. e. herbas novellae se(/etis, H., ' the growing corn,' 
* the corn in the blade.' — Nee tibi fetae^ etc., i. e. when cows have newly 
calved the whole of their milk should go to the calves; which precept, he 
says, is contrary to the practice in ancient times. 

178. In dukes consument natos, as we talk of spending on a person or thing, 
Con. See in Lex. consumo, B. 2, (/?). Natos, ' young,' ' offspring.' 

179. The rearing and training of foals intended for chargers or racers, 
vs. 179 — 208. — Sin magis (sell, est tibi), studmm ad bella, VVch., Br., Con. 
This seems better than the explanation of Heyne, adopted by Wr., Forb., 
and Lade.; sin magis (scil. est) studium {sci\. formare pullos) ad bella ; for- 
mare being supplied from v. 163, which is a forced ellipsis, 

180. Alphea. Cf. on v. 19. He puts the Olympic for any chariot races. 

181. Jovis in luco, alluding to the Altis, or sacred grove of Jupiter, which 
was near his temple. See Olympia in Lex. 

182. Labor ^ 'task,' as implying some degree of toil and effort, iT.; the first 
part of a horse's training, in the cases supposed, is what is meant. — Animos, 
etc., i. e. to become accustomed to the shouts of the troops, the glitter of 
arms, the sound of clarions, etc., K. 

183. Lituos. The kind of trumpet here spoken of was almost straight, 
only turning a little at the end, M. — Tractuque gementem, i. e. stridentem durti 
trahitui\ H., ' creaking in the draught,' K., or ' as it is dragged along,' Br. 

184. -Ferre, 'to bear,' 'to stand,' as we say, K. — Frenos audire sonantes, 
' to hear the sounding bridles.' Little bells were frequently attached to the 
bridles, K., Con. 

186. Plausae cervicis, ' of the patted neck,' Br., i. e. to delight in being 
clapped on the neck, K. 

187. Jam primo depulsus ab ubere, for qunm primuni or statim ac dejmlsus 
est, H., 'as soon as,' etc.; primo is not an adv. but an epithet of ubere, Con. 

188. Audeat, 'venture to do'; for facial, with the idea of courage in- 
cluded, K. — Inqiie vicem, ' and by turns ' ; this implies that these experiments 
on his courage are to alternate with wearing the halter, Wr., Con. 



272 BOOK III. NOTES. 

189. Invalidus, i. e. dum est invahdus. — Etlam=etiamnum, \Vr., 'as yet,' 
' still.' — Inscius aevi, ' ignorant of life,' as having so recently begun to live. 
Heyne and others explain it by ' unconscious of his powers,' i. e. as not having 
yet attained to that age which imparts strength. 

190. At tribus exactis, etc., ' but when three (summers) being past the 
fourth summer shall have come to (the horse),' i. e. when he has completed 
three years and is entering on the fourth: tinbus exactis, ahl. abs. Wagner 
reads acceperit instead of accesserit, because he thinks the latter would denote 
that the fourth year was finished; but the reading in the text is supported 
by the weight of authority. Cf. Cic. Ep. ad Q. 1, 1, annum tertium accessisse 
desideHo nostro et labori tuo, meaning that his brother has just been continued 
in office for a third year, Con. 

191. Carjjere gyrum, ' to go ' or ' move in the ring,' so as to be ti'ained and 
taught his paces. See in Lex. carpo, II. 4, and cf. on v. 115. — Gradlbus sonare 
compositis, ' to sound with measured steps,' i. e. ungula sonante incedere gradl- 
bus in numerum factis, Wr. Sonare is not merely ornamental, as the ring of 
the hoof was esteemed a mark of its soundness. Con. 

192. Sinuetque alterna volumina crwum, ' and let him bend the alternate 
joints of his legs,' i. e. * let him bend alternately the joints of his legs.' 

193. Sitque laboranti similis implies that he is not to follow his own bent 
but to be trained, Con. — Turn cursibus, etc. The order is, turn, turn cursibus 
auras vocet:=provoc€t, — ' challenge with the race.' Cf. G. 4, 76. 

194. Ceu liber habenis, as if he were simply following his own will; con- 
trasted with labora7iti similis, Con. 

195. Aequora. Cf. on G. 1, 50. — Vestigia, see in Lex. I. or B. 1. 

196. Qualis Aquilo, scil. volat. — Hyperbureis, 'northern.' See in Lex. — 
Densus, ' dense,' and hence ' strong,' ' violent' : qui quasi condensata aura et ad 
resistendum difficili flat, ergo vehemens, Wr., or, perhaps, 'constant,' 'blowing 
uninterruptedly,' Klofz. : densus with incuhuit, Con. 

197. Incubuit, ' rushes forth.' — Hiemts, ' storms.' — Arida, as being without 
rain. Cf. Sen. Nat. Quaest. 3, 28, fluere assiduos imbres et non esse modum 
pluviis, suppressis Aquilonibus et flatu sicciore, Wr. 

198. Campi natantes, ' the swimming fields,' i. e. the water. It is from Lucr., 
where it means the space overflowed Avith water ; hence a periphrasis for the 
sea, Con. It is also explained ' waving fields ' of corn, H., Wr. 

199. Lenibus flaLris marks the beginning of the gale, Cun. 

200. Longi fluctus, ' long waves,' which denotes the force of the winds, not, 
as Heyne renders it, qui longe, e longinqun veniunt, K. This explanation of 
Keightley's is approved by Conington. Cf. Homer's /laKod Kiixaru. — Urgent, 
scil. se, ' press ' or ' roll on.' 

201. Jlle, i. e. Aquilo. — Fuga, ' in its swift motion.' 

202. Hie has here the force of talis, ' a horse like this,' Wr. — Elei. Cf. on 
G. 1, 59. — Meias et maxima camjn spatia seems to be a kind of hendiadys, 
as if it had been metas campi maximis spatiis, Con. — Maxima for magna, H. 

203. Sud(d)it contains the notion of sudans ibit. Con. — Spatia. Cf. on G. 1, 
513. — Aget. Cf. on G. 2, 130. — Cruetitas. This denotes the spirit of the horse, 



BOOK III. NOTES. 273 

whicli pulls so hard that his mouth is cut by the bit in the efforts of the 
driver to hold him in, K. 

204. Belgica esseda is here put for a war-chariot in general. — 31oUi=domiio, 
Serv., 'obedient,' ' easily managed.' Philarg. explains it hj mobili, 'pliant,' 
* flexible.'— ^i^e?'e^ seems to refer to the wearing of the yoke on the neck and 
to drawing the car, Con. 

205. Crassa, i. e. ' fattening.' Cf. on G. 1, 320. — Farragine. This was a 
mixture of spelt, barley, vetches, etc., which crops the ancients sowed to- 
gether and cut as food for their cattle, K, 

206. Ante domandmn, i. e. si farraginem loraebueris anteguam domentur. 
See Gr. § 275, 1. E. 2, & 235, (1). 

207. Ingentes iollent animos, 'they will raise their mettle too high.' — 
Prensi, ' taken in hand,' Con. Cf. on G. 1, 285. 

208. Lujmtis. The curb is said to have been called Ivpattim because it had 
unequal iron teeth, like the teeth of wolves, Se^-v., M. 

210. Caeci=occulti^ H. See caecus, II. in Lex. 

212. Tauros. He confines himself here to the bulls, omitting the horses 
entirely, K. — Kelegant, scil. raagistri, K. 

213. Oppositum^ ' opposed ' between him and the cows, ' intervening.' The 
intervening hill excludes the view ; the breadth of the stream prevents cross- 
ing. Con. 

214. Aut intuSy etc. If they cannot remove him in that manner, they keep 
him shut up at home, K. — Satura. Cf. on G. 2, 197. 

215. Carpit. See in Lex. II. 2. c. — Unique^ sc. taurum. — Videndo. Cf. on 
G. 2, 239, 250=wsM, 'by the sight of her,' Q)n. 

217. Dulcibus^ etc. The order is, et saepe quidem dulcihus illecehris ilia, etc. 

219. Pascitur, etc. The heifer feeds, unconcerned, as it were, in the 
woods, K. — Sila. All the manuscripts have silva, but in the Medicean there 
is a dot over the v, which is equivalent to our dele. Servius also says that 
some read Sila. Heyne therefoi-e, whom all the later editors follow, has ad- 
mitted it into the text, K. 

220. Alternantes, dnin^diievoi, i. e. vicissim, invicem inter se, H. 

222. Versa^ 'turned against,' 'adverse.' — Obnixos, scil. adversarios, i.e. 
their opponent. 

223. Longus Olympus, ' the distant heavens,' V. Cf. on E. 5, 56. 

224. Stobulare, instead of the more usual stabulaH, K. 

226. Muha, adverbially, 'much,' 'greatly,' — Ignominiani, sc. suam. 

227. Amores, i. e. juvencam. See in Lex. amor, b. meton. 

228. Excessit, ' he has departed from.' 

229. Inter, etc. The order is, jacet pernox cubili instrato inter dura saxa. 

230. Pernox, ' all night.' Most Mss. have pernix, meaning ' pertinacious.' — 
Instrato seems to be here an adjective, from in and stratus, ' not covered,' 
' bare,' H., Wr. If a participle it must mean ' spread on ' (the rocks). Con. 

231. His fare is hard as well as his couch. Con. — Carice. This, according 
to Martyn, is the common hard ' rush,' which grows in pastures. 



274 BOOK III. NOTES. 

232. Irasci in cornua. See in Lex. irnscor. The words are translated from 
Eur. Bacch. 732, rdvpot , . . el; Keoag Ovfiovnevoi. Con. 

233. Ventosque. There may be an allusion here to the preparatory move- 
ments which gladiators were wont to practise as a prelude to the fight, Br. 

234. Sparsa arena. Cf. E. 3, 87. — Ad jmgriam proludit^ ' practises for the 
fight.' 

236. Signa movet, ' he moves the standards,' as was done when breaking 
up a camp; ' he marches,' 'advances.' The poet here, as often elsewhere, 
applies to other animals terms properly belonging to human beings, Wr. — 
Oblitum, ' who has forgotten him,' and is therefore taken by surprise, K. 

237. Virgil shows his judgment by calling off" the reader's attention to a 
simile instead of following the animals through a second encounter. Con. — 
Ud medio ponto. Wagner says the preposition is omitted by Vii-gil when he 
uses medius loosely, signifying ' in ' rather than ' in the centre,' Con. 

238. Longius, ' far ofi".' — Fx altoque, ' and from the deep,' ' from the main 
sea,' answering to 7nedio ponto, Con. — Slnum, ' the curve ' of a wave, between 
the overhanging crest and the base. 

239. J^iso monte, the mons being the whole of which the saxum is a part, and 
probably here the crag against which the sea breaks, Con. 

241. Alte subjectat, ' casts up from its depths.' Cf. Saxaque subjectare, 
et arenae iollere nimbos, Lucr. 6, 700, which Virgil plainly imitated, Con. 

242. Adeo, ' indeed,' ' in fact.' — Ferarvnujve, hypermeter. 

243. Pecudes, of tame animals, as opposed to the ferarum of the preceding 
verse, K. — Pictae, ' painted,' ' variegated.' 

244. Amor ovinihus idem, Gr. § 222, R. 7. 

245. Tempore non alio, ' at no other time,' except when under the influence 
of this passion of love. — Cutulorum obliia, Gr. § 274, 1. 

246. Erravit. Cf. on. G. 1, 49. 

247. Dedere, ' make.' Cf. note on v. 246. 

248. Pessima, as malus is used of serpents, vs. 416, 425, Con. 

249. Male erratur, ' it is ill wandering,' M. — Soils, though grammatically 
belonging to agris, really points to the traveller. Con. 

250. Nonne vides. Cf. on G. 1, 56. 

251. Si noias odor attulit auras, poet, for si aurae notum attulere odorem. 
Gr. § 323, 4, (3). As the scent comes with the gale, Virgil chooses to make 
it the bearer, not the borne, for the sake of variety. Con. — Aurae, see in Lex. 
4, d. 

252. Neque jam frena, etc., ' no longer do either,' etc. Jain implies that 
the fury has risen beyond control. Con. — Virum, because other than human 
obstacles are mentioned in the next verse, Con. 

253. Ohjecta, 'opposed in his way,' K., 'opposing,' Phihrg. 

254. Correpios monies, ' huge rocks swept awaj'.' — Uada may be connected 
with either correptos or torquentia, Con. 

255. i)e«ies eajfiCMzV, ' whets his tusks,' M. — SabeUlcus siis; an epilheton or- 
nans. Samnium, as being mountainous and woodv, abounded in all kinds of 
wild beasts, K. Servius and Voss suppose that Virgil liere means the tame 



BOOK III. NOTES. 275 

boar, as he has akeady named the wild boar, v. 248; but, as Bryce observes, 
in V. 248 the animals are mentioned in a very cursory manner, and the poet 
may well return and take up one of those instances, to enlarge upon it. 
Aristotle, speaking of the wild boars, H. A. 6, 17, says, that at this time they 
rage horribly, and fight one with another, making their skins very hard by 
rubbing against trees, and by often rolling themselves in the mud and letting 
it dry, make their backs almost impenetrable, and fight so furiously that often 
both of them are killed, M. 

256. Arbore may be either the instrumental or the local ablative, Con. 

257. Atque — atque. The first of these words connects this clause with the 
preceding, and the second atque couples Jiinc and ilUnc, Wr., Lade. But 
Forb. supposes that the copula between these two clauses is to be supplied, 
(as it is to be between j^rosubigit and fricat), and that atque — atque=et — eU 
as in E. 5, 23. — Durut, i. e. by rolling in the mud: see on v. 255. Cf. Luto se 
tergorantes, Plin. 8, 52, 78. 

258. Quid juvenis, scil. facit. He refers to the story of Hero and Leander, 
to prove the povv'er of love over mankind, K. — Magnum cui^ etc., 'for whom 
cruel love stirs up the mighty fire in his bones,' i. e. ' in whose bones cruel 
love excites the mighty fire.' See in Lex. 2. os^ I. 

269. Abriipiis has here the force of abrumpentibus, H., ' bursting.' 

260. Natat frtna. See in Lex. nato, I. {(i). 

261. Porta cadi. The ancients supposed the heavens to be a solid arch, 
having gates, through which the gods descended, and thunder and lightning 
issued, Wr. 

262. Nee miseri, etc., i. e. neitlier the thoiight of his parents' grief if he 
should perish, nor that Hero would be unwilling to survive his death, keeps 
him back, H. — Recknnant, ' reverberate ' ; or, ' cry out against,' warn to desist. 

263. Moritara. Hero, on hearing of the death of Leander, threw herself 
into the sea. — Stiper^insuper, prefer ea, 'moreover,' 'besides,' Wr., Forb. — 
Crvdeli fanere^ to be taken with moritura. Cf. on E. 5, 20. 

264. Quid^ scil. dicam^ ut furant, Wr. or scil. faciant. — Lynces variae, ' the 
spotted lynxes,' which were fabled to draw the car of Bacchus, K. 

265. Quid, sc. dicam. — Quae dant proelia, ' what combats they engage in.' 

266. Scilicet=z2)rofecto, idique, ' undoubtedly,' ' certainly,' ' of a truth,' S. 
Scilicet is apparently explained by quid in the two previous lines. He has 
been hurrying on, and now he gives his reason for doing so — the fact that it 
is on the fury of the mares that there is most need to dwell, Con. — Ante 
omnes, ' above all animals,' for ' above the fury of all animals,' Con. 

267. Mentem, scil. earn, Wr., 'that disposition.' — Quo tempore Glauci,' etc. 
Glaucus, the son of Sisyphus, who dwelt at Potniae in Boeotia, kept his 
mares from the horses in order that they might be in proper condition for 
running. Venus, to punish him, filled them with such fury that they tore 
him to pieces, K. The story is intended merely to illustrate, not to give the 
origin of their fury, Co7i. — 268. Malis, ' with their jaws,' i. e. ' with their 
teeth,' K. — Absumpsere, '• tore to pieces.' 



276 BOOK III. NOTES. 

269. Illas, i. e. equns. — Gargara. A particular mountain and river are 
here named for mountains and rivers in general, Serv. 

270. Ascanium. The Ascanius is here a river, issuing from the lake of the 
same name in Bithynia, IT. — Superant — iranant. The stress is to be laid, as 
Coningtou suggests, on these verbs; monies and Jlumina meaning little more 
than ilia and hunc. 

271. Subdita, see in Lex. subdo, B. 

272. Magis, 'chiefly,' 'especially.' — Ossibus, ' their bones,' i.e. the marrow 
in their bones, as that was considered the seat of heat, Wr. 

273. Ore versae, ' turned as to the mouth,' ' with the mouth turned.' Ore 
is used distributively, Forb. 

276. Vento gravidae. '' Brood-mares were freqiaently kept in large troops, 
which were removed, according to the season, from the mountains to the 
coast, and studiously kept apart from the males, except at the breeding sea- 
son, when, in Columella's opinion, it was the more expedient to bring them 
together, because the mares, if debarred at that period from sexual intei'- 
course, are "^pt to conceive by the winds, and in that case to engender an 
offspring which is sure to die within three years. Virgil also adopts this 
same fable, which, extravagant as it may appear to us, was very generally 
believed amongst the ancients." Daubeny. 

276. Saxa per, ' over the rocks.' 

277. Dlffugiunt — in Borean, etc. Aristotle says, on the same subject, 
H. A. 6, 19, Olovai 6i ovre npbs £w, ovre np^j ^vdfxas aXka Trpoj dpKrov ij votov. — 
Tuos, scil. a.d ortus. 

278. Aut^^cW. in eccm partem. — Nigerrimus Atister; so called because of 
the darkness it occasions by means of the thick showers which it brings Avith 
it, M. 

279. Pluvio f rigor e; since all rain cools the air, Wr. Cf. on G. 1, 462. 

280. Hie, ' upon this,' ' under these circumstances,' Con. 

282. M(dae novercae. Cf. on G. 2, 128. 

283. Miscueruntque^=et cui miscuerunt, Wr. Cf. on G. 2, 129, and see E. S, 
67 — 70. — Non innoxia verba, Gr, § 324, 9. 

285. Capti amore. Cf. on E. 6, 10. — Circumveetamur, see in Lqx. 

286. The poet now proceeds to the subject of sheep and goats. — Armentis 
includes horses as well as cSitt\Q.—~Superat, i. q. superest. Cf. on E. 9, 27. 

287. Agilare, ' to tend,' ' pasture,' ' manage.' 

288. Hie labor, scil. sit, i. e. in hoc ojiera vestra posita esto, Wr. — Hinc, i. e. 
from this pursuit. — Fortes, 'strong,' 'vigorous.' 

289. Nee sum nnimi dubius, ' nor am I doubtful in mind,' i. e. I am well 
aware. — Verbis vincere, ' to ovei'come by words,' to treat in suitable poetic 
language. — ATagnmn, ' great,' ' difficult.' 

290. Angitsiis rebus, ' lowly subjects.' — Rune honorem, ' this grace ' or ' dig- 
nity,' i. e. such as is expected from a poet. 

291. Deserta, ' deserts,' i. e. 'lonely' or 'untrodden places'; no Roman 
poet, before him, having treated of these subjects in verse. See vs. 292, 293. 



BOOK III. NOTES. 277 

292. Ire jugis. Gr. § 255, 2. — Qua nulla, etc. The order is, qua nulla pri- 
orum orhila Castaliam devertitur, Serv. 

293. Castaliam, i. e. ad Casialiavi, Wr. This spring was at the foot of 
Mount Parnassus. — Molli clivo, ' with a gentle slope.' Cf. E. 9, 8. 

294. 3Iagno ore sonandum, 'I must sing in lofty speech,' — ' in an exalted 
strain.' 

295. Incipiens, dpy^^Sixivos, i. q. principio, Forb. — MoUlbus, ' comfortable.' 

296. Carpere Jierbam, i. e. in praesepi appositam, H. — Mox seems to denote 
that they will not have to remain long in the sheds. Con. The cold weather 
does not begin in the south of Italy till towards the end of December, K. — 
Aestas includes all the warmer months, as Mems the colder, Om. 

299. Podagras, ' the podagra ' : probably the clavi, a name given to two 
kinds of disease in the feet of sheep, Col. 7, 5, Con. 

300. Post Mnc digressus, ' afterwards departing hence,' i. e. leaving the 
sheep : these words answer to incipiens, v. 295, and are equivalent to deinde 
vero, H. 

301. Arbuta. 8ee in. Les.. arbutum, 2. — Fluvios recentes, 'fresh' or 'run- 
ning water.' 

302. M staUda, etc., i. e. face the south, that they may have the sun and 
be protected against the cold northern blasts, K. — A ventis, scil. aversa, Wr. 

303. Ad medium diem, i. e. toward the south. — Quum olim, ' when at length,' 
* when now,' ' when.' 

304. Extremo Gr. § 205, E. 17. — Aquarius is represented, in the zodiac, as 
pouring water out of an iirn, and was esteemed a rainy sign, M. It sets in 
February, which with the Eomans, (Gr. § 326, 2, (1), would be close on the 
end of the natural year : frigidus and cadit seem to refer to the sign ; irrorat 
to the supposed figure in the zodiac, Con. 

305. Hae, scil. caprae. — Leviore, 'less,' scil. quam oves. 

306. Usus, scil. earum. — Milesia. Miletus was famous for excellent wool, 
very soft and commanding a high price. The wool of Miletus is here put for 
wool in general. Cf on E. 1, 55. — Magno, Gr. § 252, E. 3. 

307. Mutentur=zvendantur, Wr. — Tyrios incocta rubores, for incocta rubori- 
bus, H. Cf. on E. 3, 106. Rubores, ' purple.' 

308. Densior, ' more numerous.' Columella says a goat, if she is of a 
good sort, frequently brings forth two, and sometimes three kids at a time, M. 
The recommendations of the goat enumerated in this and the following lines 
are summed up in Geoponics, 18, 9, Con. — Hinc, i. e. ab Ms, K. — Largi pro- 
perly belongs to copia. 

309. Qtiam magis — (tam) magis, i. e. quo magis — eo magis, Forb. — The 
meaning is, as exhausto shows, the fuller the pails after one milking, the more 
will be yielded by the next, Con. 

310. Laeta=larga, 'abiindant,' Forb. 

312. CinypMi. The country through which the river Cinyps flowed was 
famous for goats with long hair. Cf on E. 1, 55. — Tondent, 'men clip,' like 
inurunt, v. 158, Con., or scil. pastores, Philarg. : cf G. 2, 282. — Betas comanieSf 
' long hair,' hanging down, Klotz. 
24 



278 EooK III. — :notes. 

313. Usihm in castrorum, etc. Goat's hair was used to make hair-clotli for 
garments and for various other purposes ; also to make ropes. 

314. Another recommendation of the goat is, that it is kept with little ex- 
pense and care. — Pascuntur silvas, scil. caprae. See in Lex. pasco, I. B. 3, b, 
and Gr. § 232, (2). — Lycaei, a particular for a general term., K. 

315. Horrentes, 'rough,' 'prickly.' — Bumns. Cf. E. 1, 77. 

316. Ipsae, i. e. sua sponte. Cf. on E. 4, 21. — Suos, scil. J'etus, ' their 
young,' Serv. 

317. M ffravido, etc., i. e. the}'- also bring home plenty of milk, K. 

319. Quo minor, etc., i. e. the less need goats, in other respects, have of aid 
from men, the more should we be careful to shield them from the winter's 
cold, V. — Est egestas^egent, H. — Curat mortalis, i. e. Tiominum curae, Forb. 

320. Virgea pabula. Cf. vs. 300, 301. — Laetus seems rightly explained by 
Wr. ?is=largus, the epithet belonging rather to the gift than to the giver, Con., 
'bountifiil,' 'liberal.' Cf. v. 494. So also Forb. But Heyne explains it to 
mean 'joyful,' i. e. 'joyfully,' ' cheerfully.' 

323. Utrumque gregem, i. e. the sheep and goats. 

324. Prima cum sidere, ' at the first appearance ' or ' rising' — . 

325. Carpamus, ' let us hasten over,' ' take our way aci'oss.' 

326. Cf. with this verse E. 8, 15. 

327. Quaria caeli hora. This was about nine o'clock, according to our 
mode of reckoning. Gr. § 326, 1, (1). Caeli is added after hora because time is 
measured by the course of the sun in the heavens^ Forb. Cf. G. 1, 335, & 4, 
100. — Collegerit, see in Lex. II. 1. 

328. Cf. E. 2, 13.— Rimpent, hyperbole, Gr. § 324, 5. 

330. Currentem ilignis canalibus. It was the custom in Italy, (as in the 
East, see Genesis, 30, 38), for the shepherds to draw the water and pour it 
out into wooden or stone troughs for their flocks, K. 

331. Exquirere depends on jubeto, understood. 

332. Jovis quercus. Cf. on G. 2, 15. — Antiquo robore, ' with ancient trunk.' 

333. Aut sicubi, etc. The order is, aut sicubi nemus nigrum ilicibus crebris. 

334. Ilicibus crebris to be taken with nigrum, and saci^a umbra with nemus. 
— Accubet, ' lie?,' ' rests,' ' reposes.' Properly speaking it is the shade itself 
which is said accubare or cubare ; here the verb is transferred to that which 
forms the shade, Wr. 

335. Tenues, 'fine,' 'slender,' an epithet of water, expi-essing its penetrat- 
ing power. Cf on G. 1, 92. Thus Serv., Burm., H., Forb., Con. But Wr. and 
Lade, refer to v. 330 ; water from a little stream. — Dare, scil. jubeo, Wr. 

337. Roscida luna. The moon was regarded as catising the dew; and was 
called rorijlua and roris mater, Con. Cf. G. 2, 202. 

338. Akyonen. Cf on G. 1, 399. — Acalanthida. AcalantMs or acanthis is the 
Greek name for the goldfinch or thistle-finch, in Latin ca7-duelis, because it 
lives among thorns and eats the seeds of thistles. Con. 

339. The poet loses no opportunity of embellishing his subject, and conse- 
quently digresses at this place into a description of the nomad tribes of Africa, 
which keep their flocks in the fields the whole summer ; and again, in v. 349, 



BOOK ni. NOTES. 279 

he speaks of those northern regions where the cold compels them to keep 
their herds in the stalls, i?., Br. 

340. Prosequar, see in Lex. II. C. — Et raris, etc., ' and the huts, with 
scattered roofs, inhabited by them,' i. e. the huts in which they dwell, not 
close to ea.ch other, but scattered here and there at considerable intervals, 
Wr., Br. 

341. The elder Scaliger declares, (Poet. 5, 16,) that Apollo himself could 
produce nothing superior to these verses of Virgil, Con. 

343. Eospitiis, ' lodgings,' ' fixed abodes.' — Jacet, ' extends,' ' stretches out.' 

344. Agit, ' carries off.' — Tectum Laremque, ' his roof and his home,' Con. 

345. Amydaeum. Cf. on vs. 44, 405, & E. 1, 55, Hyhlneis. 

346. Nan secws, etc., i. e. just as a Roman soldier carries everything with 
hira, H. — Patriis in armis, ' in his national arms,' i. e. such as the Roman 
soldiers always used, K. 

347. Injusto. Cf. 2mjM0 with a similar meaning, G. 1, 164. The Roman 
soldier, besides his armor, had to carry provisions, palisades for the camp, 
etc., altogether amounting to 60 lbs. according to Vegetius, 1, 19, Con. 

348. Ante exspectatum (est) hosti, a Greek construction for antequam ah 
hoste exspectetur, Wi'.-^In agmine seems to be used here for in aeie, ' in line 
of battle,' K. — This line shows that carpit, in v. 347, implies haste. Con. 

349. At non, scil. ita pasciiur, H. — Maeotia, see in Lex. Maeotae, C. & D. 

350. TurUdus. The order is, et turbidus torquem. Cf. on G. 1, 163. 

351. Eedit, ' returns ' : this expresses the form of the mountain, stretching 
first to the east and then to the north, Serv. — Medium porrecta sub axem^ 
* stretched under the very pole itself,' running directly north. Cf. on G. 2, 271. 

355. Assurgit. The earth is said to rise because its height is increased by 
the ice and snow, Con. 

356. Semper hiems, i. e. there do not occur those mild bright days that in- 
terrupt the rigor of winter in Italy, K. 

357. Turn, see in Lex. II. B. 1. — Pallentes umbras, ' pale shades,' i. e. the 
dim and dusky atmosphere, H. This and the two following lines are imi- 
tated from Hom. Od. 11, 15, sq., where the atmosphere of the Cimmerians is 
similarly described. Con. 

358. Nee quum, etc. neither when he rises nor when he sets, i. e. in no part 
of his course, K. 

359. Rubro, see in Lex. r«&e/-, I. 

360. The features of a severe winter are now dwelt upon, in highly finished 
and richly embellished detail, Br. 

361. Ferratos orbes is from Lucr. 6, 551. Orbes, i. e. 7'otas. 

362. Hosjnta. See in Lex. hospes, C. (;8). 

363. Aera, ' copper ' or ' brazen vessels.' — Dissiliunt. They burst, as our 
leaden pipes do, in consequence of the expansion of the fluid in them, when 
it is congealed, K. Cf. G. 4, 135, 136. 

364. Indutae, 'having been put on,' i. e. 'while being worn.' — Humida^ 
' liquid,' i. e. whose natural state is fluidity, K. See in Lex. I. 

365. Vertere, i. e. se vertere. See in Lex. B. 2, a. Cf. on G. 1, 49. 



280 BOOK III. NOTES. 

367. Non secius, ' not less,' i. e. the snow is as abundant as the frost is 
severe.— Nine/it. Gr. § 209, R. 3, (1). 

369. Cotyora bovm. The poet seems here to have in mind the oxen which 
would be required to draw the planstra, Lade., Wr. Cf. v. 352. 

370. Mole nova, soil, nivis. Nova=insolenti, ' unusual,' ' strange,' to which 
they are not accustomed, H. Wagner explains it to mean ' new-fallen.' 

372. Formidine, see in Lex. IL B. The formido Avas a cord with red 
feathers fastened along it, which the hunters stretched in open places in the 
woods: the deer, when roused and driven toward it, terrified by the motion 
of the feathers turned aside, and thus rushed into the nets, (crtsses), that were 
stretched to receive them, K. 

373. Ojjpositum, ' opposing.' — Montem, i. e. moUm, v. 370. 

376. Ipsi, i. e. the people of the North themselves. Tpsi distinguishes their 
own life from the state of things about them, Con. — In defossis speatbus: 
defossis for fossis, H., ' in caves dug out.' — Sub alta terra, ' under the deep 
ground,' i. e. ' deep under ground.' This underground mode of life is ascribed 
by Tacitus to the Germans, to the Sarmatians by Mela, and to the Armenians 
by Xenophon, K. 

377. Congesta, 'piled' or 'heaped up.' — This verse is hypercatalectic. 
Cf. on G. 1, 295. 

378. Advolvere — dedere. Cf on G. 1, 49. 

379. Noctem, i. e. the winter time, resembling night in obscurity. Cf. on 
V. Sb7.—Focula. Cf. on E. 8, 28. 

380. Fermento, see in Lex. B. 2. — Sorbis. The fruit of the service-tree is 
acidulous: the liquor made from it must have been a kind of cider, K. 
Wagner explains fermento atque sorbis by sorbis fermentatis. Cf on G. 1, 173. 

381. Talis, etc., such is the life of the northern nations. — Hyperboreo. Cf. 
on V. 196. — Septem trioni by tmesis (Gr. ^ 323, 4, (5), for Septentrioni, 'the 
Seven Oxen,' now called ' Ursa Major,'' ' the Wain,' etc. 

382. Rhipaeo. Cf on G. 1, 240. 

383. Corpora. Cf. on E. 1, 55. — Setis, ' with the hairs,' i. e. with skins with 
the hair left on them, K. 

384. " Virgil makes a correct distinction between the kind of pasture best 
suited for encouraging the gi'owth of pure wool, and for the secretion of 
milk." Daubeny. — Curae, scil. est. See cura in Lex. A. 1, (y). — Aspera silva, 
etc. These are to be avoided as tearing the wool and wounding the flesh. 
Cf V. 444, Con. — Lanicium, 'wool,' i. e. the growth of it. 

385. Lappaeque tribiiliqiie. Cf. on G. 1, 153. — Pabula laeta, ' rich pasture,' 
' luxuriant pasturage ' ; the wool in such case not being so fine as when sheep 
are fed on poor pasture. " Sheep fed on short grass have always finer wool 
than those fed on rich ones; thus the southdown bears the highest price of 
any English wool." Daubeny. 

386. Continuo. Cf on G. 1, 169. — Villis, ' wool ' or 'fleece.' 

387. Ilium, scil. arietem, to be supplied from the following clause. — Ipse 
distinguishes the whole ram from a particular part, viz. the tongue, Fo7'b. 
Cf on G. 2, 297. 



BOOK III. — NOTES. 281 

388. Nigra lingua, etc. This is an opinion held by all the ancient writers 
on the subject, K. 

390. NascenUim, ' of the offspring.' — Pleno campo, instead of saying, fi-om 
the flock which fills the plain. 

391. Munere, ' inducement,' Con. ; the word means anything calculated to 
express or to secure favor and affection. One version of the legend here re- 
ferred to was that Pan changed himself into a splendid white ram and thus 
induced the Moon to follow him, Con. Macrobius says the story was bor- 
rowed by Virgil from Nicander. — Niveo for niveae. Gr. § 205, R. 14. — Dignum 
est, see in Lex. dignus, (y). 

393. Aspernata, scil. es. 

394. Amor, scil. est — iMos. This is not the lotus mentioned in G. 2, 84, 
but a ' water-lily.' — Frequentes, ' in abundance.' 

395. Ipse, i. e. let the farmer himself do it, and not leave the sheep to look 
for salt hei'bage for themselves. — Manu, scil. sua. — Salsas, ' salted ' ; as we 
salt hay for cattle. Keightley says, it is remarkable that the graminivorous 
animals in general are fond of salt, while the carnivorous dislike it. 

39^. Hinc, i. e. from the use of salt. — Fluvios, ' water.' — Tendunt^disten- 
dunt, i. e. give more milk. 

397. Occidtum, ' obscure,' ' slight.' — Referunt, ' return,' ' give.' 

398. 3fuUi, etc. Those who wish to reserve the milk for sale and for other 
purposes take measures to prevent the young ones from sucking their 
mothers, IL — Jam excretos prohibent, etc. ExcretoSy ' separated,' is the par- 
ticiple of excerno. Heyne explains the passage by excernunt et prohibent, 
(Of. on G. 1, 320), making j«w equivalent to porro. Wagner says: Midti 
prohibent haedos recens natos a lacte matrum ita, ut eos aui separeni (excretos), 
aut capisirum ori praejigunt; thus adopting the proleptic use of the participle, 
and distinguishing between the removal of the kids and the putting on of the 
capistrum, as being two methods of preventing their sucking. Que in v. 399 
would then have the force of ve. The explanation given by Conington seems 
preferable to either. He says, the meaning evidently is that the kids are not 
allowed to suck at all — a practice opposite to that recommended above, v. 
178, in the case of calves, as the object to be attained is different. Excretus 
then will have a sense analagous to that which it bears in physiological 
writers, denoting the separation which takes place in birth. Jam is then=to 
statim: 'restrain the kids, as soon as they are born, from their mothers,' 
i. e. from sucking their mothers. So Bryce; jam excretos, 'just fallen.' 

399. Prima ora. Prima may be taken adverbially, ' from the first,' like 
Jam excretos. Con., or we may render prima ora, ' the extremities of their 
mouths.' — Ferratis cajnstris, ' with spiked muzzles.' These capistra, unlike 
those in v. 188, seem to have been made with iron points, which would prick 
the mother and make her drive the kid away, Con. Ora praefigunt capistris, 
by hypallage for capistra praefgunt oribus, Forb. 

400. Surgente die horisque diurnis, ' at sunrising and in the morning hours.' 
It would appear, from tenehris et sole cadente, v. 401, as Conington remarks, 
that surgente die and horis diurnis refer to the same thing, the morning milk- 

24* 



282 BOOK III. NOTES. 

ing, though at some seasons the ewes were milked at mid-day. Cf. Varro 
II. 11 : Mulgeni vere ad caseum faciendum mane, allis ternporibm, meridianis 
horisi etc. 

401. Premunt, i. e. in caseum, H. Cf. E. 1, 35 «& 82. See in Lex. premo, 
I. B. 5. This was probably a soft, new cheese, intended for immediate use. 
Cf. Varro, II. 11: JEst etiam discrimem, utrum casei molles ac recentes sint., an 
aridi et veteres. — Jam tenebris et sole cadente, scil. mulsere, ' now in the evening 
and at sun setting,' i. e. at the evening milking. Cf. on v. 400. 

402. Adit oppida pastor. Cf. E. 1, 35. Possibly there may be some play- 
fulness in the juxtaposition of oppida and pastor, Con. 

403. Parco, ' little, '^ ' a small quantity of.' — Contingunt, 'sprinkle'; i. e. 
they make cheese of such of the evening's milk as is not carried to town, 
and salt it for keeping. This was more thoroughly pi-essed than the cheese 
refered to above, and was also dried. Contingunt from tango, Con. 

404. Nee tibi cura canum postrema : litotes. — Una, i. e. cum pecore, ' to- 
gether with the flock,' Serv. 

405. Spartae catulos, * dogs of Sparta.' Cf. on vs. 44, 345. — Molossum. 
The Molossian dogs were chiefly valued as sheep-dogs and watch-dogs, K. 

406. Pingui, ' fattening.' Whey as a food for dogs is recommended by 
Dioscorides, 2, 80, and by Col. 7, 12, the latter prescribing the addition of 
barley-meal. Con. 

407. Stabulis furemlwrreUs; cf. Jnven. 6, 17, timer e fzirem pomis, Wch. 

408. A tergo seems intended to give the notion of surprise, Wr., Con. — 
Jberos. The Spaniards Avere reputed cattle-stealers, and therefore the word 
is here used for thieves of that description in general, H. 

409. Cursu agitabis, ' will pursue by ninning,' ' will hunt ' or ' chase.' — 
Onagros. The wild ass is not mentioned by any ancient writer as being 
found in Italy. As it is an animal of great speed it is probably mentioned 
here by way of poetic embellishment, to intimate the swiftness of the dogs. 

412. Turbabls, ' disturb,' ' rouse.' — Agens, ' chasing,' ' driving ' ; as in the 
ballad of Chevy-Chase; " To drive the deer with hound and horn," 2C 

413. Premes ad retia. Cf. vs. 371, 372. 

414. Directions for driving awaj'- and destroying serpents, vs. 414 — 439. 
Pliny says that the smell of cedar shavings puts serpents to flight, Con. 

415. Galbaneo. Dioscorides says Galbanum is the juice of a sort of ferula, 
gi-owing in Syria, that it has a strong smell, and drives away serpents with its 
fume, M. — Agitare, 'to drive' or 'frighten away.' — Graves may here signify 
either ' oftensive,' as emitting a very offensive odor, H. ; cf. on v. 451, and see 
in Lex. gravis, I. B. 2, or ' dangerous.' — Chelydros. Cf on G. 2, 214. 

416. Immotis, ' undisturbed,' i. e. that have not been cleaned. — Mala tactu 
for iaclui, 'dangerous to touch,' H., K., aanrog, Con. 

417. Caelum^ucem, H., Forb. — Exterrita seems to refer to the timid nature 
of the animal, Con. 

418. Ant iecto, etc. The order is, aut coluber, pestis acerba bourn, assuetua 
succedere tec to et umbrae, pecoriqiie aspergere virus. It is uncertain what kind 
of serpent is meant by coluber. — Umbrae, ' shady places.' 



BOOK III. NOTES. 283 

420. FovU, ' inhabits,' ' occupies constantly.' Fotet humum is, qui multum 
et assidue in eo ■moratur, H. Cf. also G. 4, 42, 43 : effossis latebris sub terra fo- 
vere larem. — Cape saxa, etc. The rapidity of the verse expresses the instant 
necessity for exertion, V. — Robora, ' clubs.' 

421. Tollentem minas, ' raising threats,' i. e. ' raising himself in a threaten- 
ing posture,' K., 'raising his threatening head,' Br. Cf. A. 2, 381: attollerir- 
tern iras et caerula colla iumentem. — Colla sibila, i. e. quae sibilum edunt, H. 
Gr. § 234, II. 

422. Dejice, ' strike ' or ' knock him down.' — Jamgue, etc. The precept is 
exchanged for narrative, Con. — Alte, ' deep in the ground,' K. 

423. Quum seems virtually equivalent to dum, Con. — Nexus, ' rings,' ' spiral 
folds.' — Extremaeque agmina caudae, ' the train of his far distant tail.' This 
and the medii nexus before formed a complication, which is now unloosed 
{solvuntur), but the tail still continues to undulate. Con. 

424. Tardosque, etc., ' and the last fold drags along its slow-moving coil ' : 
tardos orbes=tardum wbem. 

425. Est etiam, etc. The sei-pent here meant is the chersydrus, a species of 
water-snake, which abounded in Calabria, (Solinus, c. 8), the passage being 
imitated from Nicand. Ther. 359, sq. Con., H. — Malus, ' dangerous,' ' hurtful.' 

426. Squamea, etc., i. e. his back is scaly and his belly has large spots 
on it, K. 

427. Cerda remarks that two characteristics are here mentioned, the 
length of the belly and the spots, Con. 

428. Enmpuntur fontibus=se rumpunt, ' break ' or ' burst forth from — .' 
Cf. on G. 1, 446. 

430. Eic, i. e. in stagnis, 'Ww—Atram. Cf. on G. 1, 129. 

431. Improbus, ' voracious,' ' ravenous.' Cf. on G. 1, 119. 

434. Asper=exasperatus, Forb. Cf. Sail. Jug. 89: Natura serpentium, ipsa 
perniciosa, siti magis quam alia re accenditur. — Exten-itus, ' made wild.' 

436. Dm^so nemorls, i.e. 'a woody ridge,' the back or ridge of a mountain 
covered with woods. — Libeat, etc., ' may I never take a fancy,' Con. — Jacuisse 
for Jacere, Gr. § 268, 2, R. 2, last clause.— Per herbas. Cf. on G. 2, 527. 

437. Fositis exuviis, ' having cast its slough ' or ' skin,' thus, as it were, re- 
newing its youth. Aristot. (Hist. A. 8, 17), says the serpent casts his skin 
twice in the year, in the spring and autumn ; catulos relinquens seems to mark 
the former, ova the latter period, H., K., Con. 

438. Volvitur, see in Lex. B. — Catulos, 'its young.' — Tectis, 'at home.' 

439. Arduus, ' raised,' ' lifted up.' — Linguis micat ore trisulcis, i. e. micat 
Unguis (in) ore, H., ' makes a quick motion backwards and forwards in his 
mouth, with his three-forked tongue.' From the rapidity of its motion the 
ancients supposed a serpent's tongue to be cleft into three divisions. 

440. The diseases of sheep, vs. 440 — 463. 

441. Tentat, ' attacks.' — Scabies. Columella observes that no animal is so 
subject to the scab as sheep. He adds that it usually arises on their being 
injured by cold rain or frost ; or, after shearing, if they are not well washed, 



284 BOOK III. NOTES. 

or if they are permitted jto feed in woody places where they are wounded witli 
brambles and briars, M. — Frigidus irriber, cf. on G. 1, 259. 

442. Altius, ' very deep.' — Vivum, see in Lex. vivus, B. — Persedit, see j>er- 
sido in Lex. 

445. Magistri, ' the shepherds.'— Cf. on G. 1, 272. 

446. Villis. Cf. on v. 386. 

447. Missus, etc., 'sped with the stream, floats' or 'swims down': cf. on 
G. 2, 452. — Secundo amni, see in Lex. sccundus, B. 2. under seqvor. 

448. Trisii. Cf. on G. 1, 75.— Contmgunt, cf. on v. 403. 

449. A number of ingredients are now named, to be mixed with the lees 
of oU. — Spumas argenti, ' litharge of silver,' the oxide or scum that forms on 
the sm-face of silver, or of lead containing silver, when in fusion, K. — Viva, 
see in Lex. vivus, 2, and cf. on G. 2, 469. 

450. Idaeasque pices, ' and Mean pitch ' ; because pine-trees abounded 
on Mount Ida. Cf. on E. 1, 55. Liquid pitch or ' tar ' is here meant, Serv. — 
Pingues unguine ceras, ' wax rich in oily matter,' i. e. to which oil has been 
freely added. Wax can only be rendered soft and jaelding by the addition 
of oil, K. 

451. Graves=graveolentes, Wr. Cf. on v. 415. 

452. Non ulla, etc., ' a favorable crisis in the disease is never so nigh at 
hand,' Con. Cf. A. 7, 559. Others explain praesens, ' efficacious,' foriuna, 
'remedy.' — Laborum^mcn^bi, scabiei, H. 

453. Ferro, ' with an iron instrument,' as a knife. — Potuli seems merely a 
poetical amplification, Con., and si quis potuit resci7idere to be equivalent to 
si quis resdndat or rescinderit, Forb. 

454. Vitium, i. e. the ulcer. — Tegendo. Cf. on G. 2, 250. 

456. Abnegai, ' refuses,' i. e. out of despair. — Sedtt, ' sits idly ' : see in 
Lex. sedeo, B. 2. 

457. Ima ossa, ' the inmost bones,' or ' marrow.' Cf. on v. 272. — Dolor, i. e. 
mm^bus, ' the disease,' H. — Balantum=ovium. — Lcqjsus, 'having sunk' or ' pen- 
etrated.' 

459. Profuit, i. q. solet prodesse. Cf on G. 1, 49, Forb. — Incensos aestus, 
instead of the more usual fervidos aestus, ' burning heat,' H. — Ft inter, etc. 
i. e. by bleeding in the foot, between the hoofs. This is the usual place for 
bleeding a sheep, as, on account of the wool, the neck cannot be got at. The 
sheep is also bled in the face or ear, K. 

460. Ima, ' the lower -parts.*— Salientem, see in Lex. salio, I. A. 2. 

461. Quo more. This practice is nowhere else ascribed to the Thracians, K. 

462. Fugit, see in Lex. L A. 2, near the end. Gr. § 209, E. 12, (3).— 
In Ehodopen; this refers only to Bisaltae, as deserta Getarum does to the 
Gelonus, Wr. By deserta Getarum is meant the country lying between the 
Danube and the Dniester, a part of Moldavia, Forb. 

463. Ft lac, etc., ' they di'ink (mares') milk coagulated with horses' blood,* 
Con. This custom is ascribed to several ancient nations. 

464. Quam, sell. ovem. — Procul, ' at a distance,' from the rest of the flock. — 



BOOK III. ^'OTES. 285 

JfoZZi, 'soft,' 'voluptuous'; so called from the eflfeminacy of liim who seeks 
it, Voss, Wr., Forb. ; or it may mean ' pleasant,' ' agreeable,' Lade. 

466. Medio. Cf. on v. 237. 

467. Solam^ ' alone.' — Decedere nodi. Cf. on E. 8, 88. 

468. Culpam ferro compesce, ' check the evil by the knife,' i. e. kill the 
faulty sheep ; see in Lex. cidpa^ 3. Quas — videris — decedere should have been 
followed by hanc continuo macta, or the like, Wr. Gr. § 823, 3, (5). 

469. Tncautam^ ' incautious,' ' unwary.' 

470. The comparison seems to be not between the frequency of storms at 
sea and the number of the diseases of cattle, but between the quick rush of a 
storm-wind and the rapid spread of each of the various diseases. Creber 
then will be taken closely with agens liiemem, like creberque procellis Africus, 
A. 1, 85. Aequore, either along the ocean, or from it, Con. ' The whirlwind 
bringing frequent rain-storms, does not rush so quick from the ocean, as 
the many diseases of cattle (spread)'. Wr. says: non turbo^ hiemem agens, tarn 
creher ruit, ' does not rush down so thick,' i. e. with drops so thick. 

471. Pestes, i. e. morbi, H. 

472. J esiim, 'flocks,' 'folds'; see in Lex. 3; a military term applied to 
the flocks of sheep, because they were frequently pastured in different places 
in summer and in winter, Con. 

473. Spemque gregemqiie, ' both the hope of the flock,' i. e. the young, 
*and the flock itself.' Cf. onE. 1, 15: agnos cum matribus, Serv. — Cunctam- 
que ab oriyine gentem. These words, which might have been put in apposi- 
tion to the foregoing, without a conjunction, are added in the form of an 
epexegesis, que being inserted, Wr., Br. 

474. Turn sciat, scil. morbis lotos greges abripi, H. He who has any doubt 
of this, may convince himself of the truth of it by viewing the present con- 
dition of a district in which the cattle were attacked by an epidemic, K. 
The order is, si quis aerias Alpes, etc., videat, etc., turn sciat. 

475. Castella, see in Lex. 2. — In tumulis, ' on the hills.' — lapydis Timavi, 
' of lapidian Timavus.' The Timavus was so named from the lapydes, an 
Illyrian people who dwelt near it, K. 

476. Post tanto for tanto post, 'so long afterwards.' Gr. § 256, K. 16, (3). — 
Regna pastorum. Cf. E. 1, 70. 

478. We know nothing of the epidemic described, or the time at which 
it happened, but it seems to have left a sufficiently terrible recollection behind 
it to induce Virgil to select it as a subject for a companion picture to that 
of the great plague of Athens, at the end of the sixth book of Luci-etius, Con. 
— Morbo caeli=:iViiiG aeris, H., ' from badness of the air,' ' from a vitiated state 
of the atmosphere.' Cf. E. 7, 57. 

479. Temjjesias, ' season.' — Toto auctumni aestu, ' with the whole heat of au- 
tumn,' i. e. with the full force of the heat of autumn. The autumn extended 
with the Romans from the early part of August, (11th), till the beginning 
of November (11th), and the first part of this period was usually the hottest 
and most deadly of the year, Br. 



286 BOOK III. NOTES. 

482. Via mortis, ' the way to death,' ' the mode of death.''— Simplex, * one 
and the same,' ' uniform.' The disease is described as going through two 
opposite stages, parching fever being succeeded by a sort of liquefaction, 
Con.— Venis omnibus acta, 'driven through all their veins,' 'coursing through 
every vein.' 

483. Sitis, ' fever,' so called from its effect, K.—Adduxerat artus, from the 
shrinking of the skin in fever, H. See in Lex. adduco, 4. 

484. Fluidiis liquor, ' a corrupt moisture ' or ' liquid '=<a6z<TO. — Omniaqiie, 
etc., i. e. trahebat in se omnia ossa, minutatim morho collapsa, ' converted into 
itself,' (i. e. into its own substance), ' all the bones, eaten away ' or ' con- 
sumed hy the disease.' 

486. In Jionore deum medio, ' in the midst of a sacrifice to the gods.' Cf. 
honor, n. A. in Lex. — Sians. Cf. on G. 2, 395. 

487. Lanea, etc., i. e. dum infula lanea, vitta nivea, (i. e. infula vittata, H.) 
circumdatur {capiti), ' while the woollen band, with its snow-white fillet, is 
being put round the head.' Instead of thus taking vitta as an abl. of quality 
with infida, it may be regarded as the abl. of the instrument with circumda- 
tur, though the former seems preferable. The infula appears to have been a 
broad woollen band, that was put round the head of the victim ; the vitta a 
narrow band which fastened the infula on, K. 

489. Quam, see in Lex. 2. quis. — Ante, ' before,' i. e. before it fell down 
dying from the disease. 

490. Indez=ex ea, and is to be joined with fibr}s=fbris ex ea or ejus. 
-Cf. on G. 1, 5. — Altaria, 'the altars,' for 'the victim' placed on them. — 
Fibris, see in Lex. fbra, IL and cf. on G. 1, 484. The refusal of the flame 
to kindle, here arising from the state of the animal, was a bad omen. Con. 

491. Nee responsa, etc. The entrails of the victims were thought not to 
discover the will of the gods, unless they Avere sound, M., and therefore 
when there was any deficiency or disease in them the exta were said to be 
muta, H. 

492. Sujypositi, because the throat was cut from beneath, Con. See in Lex. 
suppono, I. A. 

493. Jejuna, opposed to pinguis ; the ' thin ' gore just dyes the surface of the 
sand. Con. 

494. Einc, ' hence,' from this disease, K. — Laetis in herbis, ' in the luxu- 
riant grass.' The herbage was tainted, as Wagner remarks, so that laetis 
merely denotes luxuriance, answering to plena ad praesepia: the misery 
of the scene is indefinitely heightened by their dying in the midst of 
plenty, Con. Cf. v. 481. 

495. Dulces animas, ' their sweet lives'; because life is sweet; i^i'Aifpova 
6v(x6v. Cf. Gray in his Elegy, quoted by Brj-ce: 

" For who to dumb forgetfulness a prey, 

This pleasing, anxious being e'er resigned, 
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, 

Nor cast one longing, lingcriug look behind." 



BOOK III. NOTES. 287 

496. Blandis. The ejiithet here is in oonti'ast to rabies^ Con. 

497. Tmsis anhela. The angina, vay^7] or Ppdy^os, is meant, a disease 
of swine, //. — Faucibus angii obesis, 'chokes their swollen throats': obesis^z 
tumentibus, Serv. 

498. Lahiiur, 'sinks,' 'falls sick.' — Infelix siudiorum, 'deriving no fruit 
from his pursuits,' Br. ; cid nihil prosunt siudia sua, victoriae reportatae, Wr., 
i. e. his occupation of racing, and his victories, do not avail him now. Cf. v. 
525, and for a similar construction, on G. 1, 277. 

499. Avertiiur, see in Lex. 1, b. 

500. Crebra, see in Lex. creber, 2, b, and cf. on v. 149. — Demissae (sunt) 
aures. Col. 6, 80, mentions aui'es Jtaccidae among the symptoms of disease in 
horses, Con. — Incertus, ' irregular,' either in quantity, or in its time of appear- 
ing; nunc multus, nunc nullus, Wr. ; qui per vices, non certis intervallis consti- 
iuias, accedii et recedit, H. — Ibidem, 'just there,' i. e. about the ears, H. 

501. Ille, ' that,' i. e. the sweat. — Morituris, ' doomed to death,' ' when 
^eath was certain,' rather than ' about to die,' Wr., Con. The pi. is used be- 
cause he is speaking of horses, not of a particular horse: so in the following 
line?, Con. 

502. Ad iactum, ' to the touch,' ' when it is touched,' quum iangeretur, H. — 
Tractanii dura resistit, ' being hard resists him who handles it,' * resists by its 
hardness him,' etc., i. e. does not yield. 

503. Ante exitium, ' before their death.' 

504. Processu, see in Lex. I. — Crudescere, opposed to mitescere, Forb. 

505. Ardentes. Cf. on G. 2, 133. — Attrwtus ah alto, ' fetched deep,' M. 

506. Gemitu gravis, ' laden with a groan.' — Tma ilia, ' the lowest parts of the 
flanks.' 

507. Tendunt, scil. eqtii. Cf. v. 503, and on v. 501. — Tt, ' flows,' ' gushes.' 

508. Obsessas, 'beset,' 'closed'; either by a swelling or by ulcers, II., 
cf. Lucr. 1146, ulceribus vocis via septa coibat. See obsido in Lex. — Premit, 
because the tongue itself had swollen, H. — Aspera lingua. Cf. Lucr. 1149, 
lingua . . . aspera tactu. The tongue is rough on account of the inflamma- 
tion, K. 

509. Profuit, ' it was of service,' i. e. at first. — Inserto, in the mouth : Aristot. 
(H. A. 8, 21) speaks of pouring wine into the nostrils of sick pigs, Con. 

510. Lenaeos. Cf. on G. 2, 4. Oil or fat mixed with wine is prescribed by 
Col. 6, 30, as a remedy for lassitudo in horses. Con. 

511. Max erat, etc.; but this very thing soon proved to be injurious, as it 
was found to increase the fever, K. — Furiis refecti, ' recruited by madness.' 
This may be a kind of oxymoron, ' strength returned, but it was the strength 
of madness,' though it need mean no more than that the fever was increased, 
Con. 

512. Jam morfe sub aegra, ' even just before sad death ' ; just before they 
died miserably. 

513. Di meliora, scil. de7it. — Errorem=furorem, H. See in Lex. IL 2. 
Deprecating evils from ourselves on our enemies is frequent in ancient 
writers, V. 



288 BOOK III. NOTES. 

514. Nudis, 'naked,' 'bared,' i. e. exposed by drawing back the lips, K., 
and expressing the horrid graining of the horse in the agonies of death. M. 

515. £cce auiem calls attention to a new object, something like Koi fxi^v in 
Greek, Con. — Fumans, scil. sudore. Cf. G. 2, 542. — Sui vomere, i. e. sub arandi 
labore, Wr. 

517. Ciet, ' gives,' ' fetches.' The pause in this verse and the slow mea- 
sure of the next line, consisting of spondees, are worthy of obsei'vation, 31. 

518. Fraterna moi^te^ 'at the death of his brother,' i. e. comrade, K. 

520. The lines that follow refer to the ox that has just fallen dying, (Con.) 
and not to the juvencus, of v. 518, or to the cattle in general which were af- 
fected by the disease. Wr. thinks that pascuntur, v. 528, points to the latter; 
but cf. vs. 498, sq. and on v. 501, morituris. 

521. Movere animum, ' affect his mind,' ' move ' or ' attract him.' 

522. Purior, ' purer,' ' brighter.' — Electro. It is uncertain whether ' am- 
ber' is here meant, or the metal electrum^ (see in Lex). Either comparison 
would be natural. Serv., H., Voss, and Forb. think the metal is referred to; 
Cerda, that it is the amber. Of the latter opinion was probably Milton : 
"KoUs o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream," P. L. 3, 359, V. . 

523. Solvuntu7'=Jlaccescunt, H., ' become flaccid,' 'gi'ow flabby.' 

524. Fluit, ' falls down.' Flnit expresses gradual sinking to the ground, 
Con. — Devexo, ' inclining ' or ' tending downwards.' 

525. Of this and the five following lines Scaliger said, (Poet. 5, 11), that 
he would rather be the author of them than have Croesus and Cyrus at his 
command, K. — Benefacta, i. e. his services to men. 

626. Massica Bacchi munera. Cf. on G. 2, 143. 

527. Epulae repostae, ' renewed banquets,' luxurious feasts, where there is 
a succession of courses. See in Lex. 7'epuno, L A. 1, near the end. 

528. SimpUcis, opposed to the arts of cookery displayed in an elaborate 
banquet, epulae repostae, Con. 

529. Pocida. Cf. on E. 8, 28. — ^icera'i'a CMrsw, i.e. 'rapid,' Con. The refer- 
ence is to running water as opposed to that which is stagnant, Wr. 

531. Tempore nan alio, i. e. this was the first time. Con. 

532. Quaesitas, ' sought for ' and not found, ' wanting.' — Ad sacra, ' for the 
sacred rites.' — Boves, i. e. white cows, such as were used in the sacred pro- 
cession in honor of Juno, when the priestess was drawn by them to the tem- 
ple of that goddess. Sacra Junonis, pro quibusvis sacris ponit, H. — Uris. Cf. 
on G. 2, 374. 

533. Imparibus, ' ill-matched,' perhaps referring to color as well as to size. 
— Donaria, see in Lex. II. 1. 

534. Ergo, etc. Having thus no draft-cattle, they wei-e obliged to give up 
the use of the plough and cultivate their corn with the hoe, etc., K. — Riman- 
tur. The slow progress of the work is imitated by the succession of spon- 
dees, V. 

535. Fruges, i. e. semina, H. 

536. Contenia, see in Lex. contenius, 1, under contendo. 



BOOK III. NOTES. 



289 



537. The spectacle of a state of nature, from which the terror felt by beast 
for beast or man is removed, has been already presented to us by Virgil in 
two different lights ; in E. 5, 60, as part of a restored golden age, in E. 8, 28, 
52, as resulting from a monstrous reversal of the order of the world, such as 
is conceived by a heart-broken lover: we see it now in a third aspect, as 
the actual consequence of a leveling pestilence, Con. — Explored^ see in Lex. 
I. (a). 

538. Nocturmis=nodu. Gr. § 205, K. 15, (a), & § 210, K. 4. See nocturnus 
in Lex. — Oktmbulat, ' walk ' or ' prowl about.' 

539. Cura, i. e. the disease, which has attacked him also. — Cf. on E. 8, 28. 

541. Jam. Cf. on G. 2, 57. — Maris immerisL Cf. on G. 1, 2d.—Et genus omne. 
Cf. on V. 473. — Natantum, see in Lex. nutans, under nato. 

542. Aristotle, (H. A. 8, 19), denies that fish suffer from epidemics, but 
later naturalists do not agree with him. Con. 

543. Insolitae, ' unaccustomed to do so ' ; being accustomed to the sea but 
not to rivers. They are unable in their sickness to contend with the waves. 

544. Curvis lalebris. Cf. G. 2, 216. The epithet is significant, as the shape 
of their lurking place would prevent most animals from following them, Con. 

546. Non aequus, i. e. non innoxius. Cf. on G. 2, 225, Forb. 

547. Praedpites, * headlong,' i. e. ' falling headlong.' 

548. Mutari pabula, of changing their food, not of driving them to pasture 
in another district. Con. 

549. Quaesitae aries, ' the remedies devised,' or ' sought out.' — Nocent, * in- 
jure,' rather than benefit.— Cessere maffistri, i. e. magistri artis medendi, the 
specification being supplied from the previous clause, Con., 'the masters 
of the heahng art yielded,' to the disease, i. e. were baffled by it. So also K, 
and Fo7-b. But Voss supplies pecoris after magistri, and makes the meaning 
to be, that the ' chief herdsmen,' (a part of whose business it was to cure such 
of the cattle as were sick), even though as skillful as Chiron and Melampus, 
could not cope with the disease. So Wr. and Lade. 

550. Chiron . . . Melampus. To convey the idea that the best medical 
skill was of no avail, he introduces the names of two most celebrated phy- 
sicians. 

551. Saevit, etc. The order is, et pallida Tislphone in lucem emissa Stygiis 
tenehris saevit (et) Morbos Meiumque ante agit. Tisiphone, the impersonation 
of Vengeance, comes up from the Shades, with Disease and Terror flying be- 
fore her as her harbingers, Con. — Ante, see in Lex. II. A. 

553. Tnque dies, see in Lex. dies, I. A. b. — Keightley observes of this pas- 
sage, that it is a noble poetic expression of the increasing ravages of the pes- 
tilence. 

555. Arentes points to the intense heat, v. 479, Con. 

556. Cdtervut'im, ' by troops.' Cf. inde catervatim morbo mortique dabantur, 
Lucr. 6, 1144. — Bat stragem, soil. Tisipihone, ' causes their slaughter,' 'slays,' 
'destroys.' 

557. JDilnpsa, ' falling to pieces,' ' decaying.' Cf. vs. 484, 485. 

558. Donee, etc., i. e. until they began to bury the dead bodies, which 

25 



290 BOOK III. NOTES. 

was the only way of checking the plague ; and this they did when they had 
ascertained that no use could be made either of the skins, flesh, or wool 
of such as had died of this disease, Wr. — Discunt. Gr. § 209, K. 2, (2). 

559. Viscera, see in Lex. B. 1. According to Servius it signifies the whole 
carcass under the skin, so that it is the natural con'elative of coi'ia. Con. 

560. Abolere, see in Lex. 2. nboJeo. — Fincere ^arama, i. e. ' cook.' This is 
the explanation of Servius, approved by W7\, Forh. and K. But Heyne and 
Voss suppose the meaning to be that the dead bodies were too numerous to 
be consumed either by water or by fire, and that they were therefore buried. 

561. Illuvie. The discharge from the sores is what is here meant, Con. — 
Peresa, ' consumed,' ' rotten.' 

562. JYec, (scil. si guis totonderat et telam inde ftcerat), ullo ea erai usu, 
quia putHs erat, statim igitur rumpehatur, Wr. There is in fact a rhetorical 
climax : The wool was too rotten to be shorn, or, if shorn, to be woven, or 
if woven, to be put on, or if put on, to be worn without contracting dis- 
ease, Con. 

563. Etiam is to be taken with papulae atque sudor sequebatur, as if non 
modo, or something equivalent, had been expressed in the preceding part of 
the sentence. — Attingere appears as if it might refer either to the weaver, or 
to the person who takes up the texture for use. 

565. Membra sequebaiur, i. e. se diffundebat per omnia membra, 'spread 
over his whole body,' Wr. — Moranti, scil. ei, of the patient, Avho, as we should 
say, had not to wait long before he was seized, Con. 

566. Contacios, 'tainted,' 'infected.' — Sacer ignis, ' the sacred fire.' This 
disease resembled the erysipelas, from which however Celsus distinguishes it 
6, 28. Voss thinks it might have been St. Anthony's fire, K. See in Lex. 
ignis, I. 2. 



p. VERGILI MARONIS GEORGICON 
LIBER QUARTUS. 

AKGUMENT. 

I. Subject of the Fourth Book, viz. the care of bees: Invocation of Mae- 
cenas, (vs. 1 — 7). 

II. Of the bee-hives : 

1. Situation for them, regard being had to the winds, to the enemies 
of bees, (bee-eater, lizard, etc.), to water, trees and flowers (8 — 32). 

2. Their material and construction (33 — 46); position to be studied as 
regards smells and sounds which might injure the bees (47 — 50). 

III. Of Spring occupations and swarming (51 — 148). 

1. Of the first excursions and swarming (51 — 62). 

2. Means by which to cause bees to alight, when swarming (62 — 66). 

3. Their quarrels — how to be allayed (67 — 90): characteristics of the 
best bees (91—102). 

4. INIeans to prevent swarms from deserting a hive or a locality (103 — 
115). 

5. Description of a well-cultivated garden, such as would attract bees 
to remain in a locality (116 — 148). 

IV. Of the nature and economics of bees (149—227). 

1. Special qualities given by Jupiter (149 — 152). 

2. Community of offspi-ing and of property (153 — 157). 

3. Apportioning of duties to classes and to individuals (158 — 190). 

4. Sagacity in the matter of weather (191 — 196). 

5. Generation of bees (197—209). 

6. Respect for queen-bee (210—218). 

7. Philosophical speculations on the nature and essence of bees (219 — 
227). 

V. The honey-harvest (228—250). 

VI. Diseases and their remedies (251—280). 

VII. Artificial production of bees (281—314). 

VIII. The story of Aristaeus — the loss of his bees, and the means by 
which the disaster was repaired (315 — 558). 

IX. Epilogue in conclusion of the poem (559—566). Bryce. 

291 



292 BOOK lY. NOTES. 

NOTES ON THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE GEOEGICS. 

1. Protinus, ' in continuation,' ' next.' — Aerii, refeiTing to tlae notion of the 
ancients that honey was a deAV that fell from the sky, and that the bees 
merely collected it, K. 

2. Aspice, ' regard with favor,' Can. 

3. Admiranda, etc. The order is, dicam tibi ordine admiranda spectacula, 
etc. The two following lines are epexegetical of this. 

4. Maynanimos. Cf. v. 83. — Ordine with dicam. 

5. Studia, ' pursuits,' ' employments.' — Populos, ' peoples,' 1. e. the different 
communities into which the gens or race is divided, K. 

6. In tenui labor, scil. est, of the thing on which the labor is spent, as 
laborare in re is used, Con. — Quem=aliquem, ' any one,' ' one.' 

7. Laeva, ' adverse.' This is the explanation given by Aulus Gellius, and 
followed by most commentators; Servius and H. understand it to mean ' pro- 
pitious.' Sinunt, see in Lex. I. (e). 

8. Stcttio, 'station,' or 'post,' a militaiy term: cf. macjuanimos duces, v. 4. 

11. Campo with errans, which conveys a notion of space, rather than with 
decutiat, Con. — With insidlent, etc., supply ubl from quo in v. 9. 

12. Rorem. Cf. on v. 1, aerii. — SurgerUes=crescentes. Cf. on E. 6, 39, H. 

13. Ficti. Cf. on G. 3, 243. — Squalentia=squamosa. Cf. on Jiorem, E. 1, 55. 

14. Pinguibus, see in Lex. I. B. 1. — Stnbidis, see in Lex. H. A. 

15. Procne. Cf. on E. 6, 78. — Pectus signata. Cf. on E. 1, 55. Signata^ 
'marked,' 'stained.' The blood which stained her hands was supposed to 
have dropped on her breast, Con. Cf. Ov. Met. 6, 6G9: neque adhuc de pectore 
caedis excessere notae, signataque sanguine pluma est. Some species of swal- 
lows are described as having red marks on the breast, V. 

16. Vastant. Like a plundering army they spreaJ tJieir ra^-ages far and 
near, K. — Volantes, 'flj-ers,' i. e. bees. See in Lex. 2. volo, L 2, and cf. on 
G. 3, 147; or, ipsas volantes, ' the bees themselves, on the \Ying.' 

17. Nidis, see in Lex. IL A. 

18. Stagna, ' pools,' of standing, but not of stagnant water. — Virentia mzisco, 
* green with moss,' i. e. with gi-een moss gi-owing aroimd them, K. 

19. Tenuis fugiens, ' hastening aAvay with shallow stream.' Cf. on G. 1, 163. 
VaiTO says, (3, 16), the water should not be more than two or three inches 
deep. 

20. Oleaster. Cf. on G. 2, 182. 

21. Reges, see in Lex. I. B. 2. The ancients supposed that what Ave now 
know to be the queen-bee, was a male. The swarms are headed by new 
chiefs who lead out the colonies, juvenius. Con. 

22. Vere suo, ' in their own spring,' i. e. in the spring which is favorable 
to them, and which they love. See iii Lex. suus, I. B. 2.—Ludet. This refers 
to the incessant flying backwards and forwards of the bees previous to the 
rising of the swarm, K. — Favis, ' cells.'— Emissa, ' sent forth,' ' issuing.' 

23. Decedere calori, ' to retire from — .' Cf. on E. 8, 88. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 293 

24- Ohvia arbos, ' the tree which is in their way,' ' which is over against 
them.' Wr. supplies examina to obvia, 'the swarms coming against it,' (the 
tree). — Hospitm frondeniihis, ' in its leafy lodging,' or ' shelter.' The image 
is from a man who meets his friend and detains him, teneat, hospitably, Con. 
It is an object with bee-masters to get the swarm to settle as soon as pos- 
sible, K. 

25. In medmm, scil. humorem, Wr., ' into the midst of the water.' — Seu 
stabit iners, of the stagna. Cf. v. 18. — Profluei, of the invus, v. 19. 

27. Consistere, see in Lex. I. B. 2. d. 

29. Sparsest, scil. imbre, Wch., * sprinkled.' — Praeceps Eurus, see in Lex. 
praeceps, I. B. 3. — Neptuno=aquae, and it is intended angustis rebus addere 
honorem. Con. 

30. Haec circum, i. e. circa fontes et stagna, H. — Casiae. Cf. on E. 2, 49. — 
Olentia, see in Lex. olens, A. and on E. 2, 11. 

31. Graviter spirantis, ' strongly exhaling,' i. e. * strong-scented,' but not 
disagreeable. 

32. Flweat. Cf. on E. 1, 59, cessabit. — Irrigtium, see in Lex. L B. — 
Funtem=aqua7n. 

33. Ipsa. Cf. on G. 3, 387 .— Corticibus. Cf. on G. 2, 463 & 387, and see in 
Lex. co7-tex, b. — Cavatis, 'hollow.' 

34. Lento vimine. In addition to the two kinds of hives mentioned by 
Virgil, Columella, (9, 6), notices also those made of the ferula, which he 
says are next best to those of cork ; those of a hollowed piece of timber or 
of boards; those of potters' ware, which he looks on as by far the worst, and 
finally those made of cow-dung or bricks. The ancients do not seem to have 
liuown the straw hive, K. 

35. Angustos aditus. The reasons for making the entrance narrow, were 
as Columella tells us, (9, 7), first, to exclude cold, secondly, to keep out liz- 
ards, beetles, moths, etc. 

36. Gogit, see in Lex. I. 2. — Liquefacta remittit, ' melting dissolves it, ' for 
liquefacit, ' melts,' H. Iiemittit=resolvit, H. We may also translate the 
phrase by two verbs, ' melts the honey and causes it to run,' Br. 

37. Utraque vis, • each force,' i. e. the force both of cold and of heat. 

38. Nequicquam, ' in vain,' ' fruitlessly.' Cf. on G. 1, 96, and see in Lex. — 
Tectis. Cf. on v. i7.—Apibus, (v. 37), cf. on G. 2, 419. 

39. Spiramenia, ' crevices,' ' chinks.' — Fuco et jloribus, i. e. fuco florum. 
Cf. on G. 1, 173, Wr. Fuco, see in Lex. 1. fucus, II. B. 2. This bee-glue 
was said to be derived from flowers. 

40. Haec i2)sa ad munera, i. e. ad Unenda spiramenta et explendas oras, Con. 
— Gluten, i. e. propolis, which was collected from the vines and poplars, Plin. 
11, 7, K. 

41. Visco. Cf. G. 1, 139. — Servant, see in Lex. I. B. — Pice Idae. Cf. on 
G. 3, 450. 

42. Fffossis latebris, ' in hiding-places made by digging,' i. e. as Servius 
explains it, which the bees themselves have excavated. 

25* 



294 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

43. Fovere larem, ' they inhabit their dwe\lir\g,' =habitani, H., ' they dwell,' 
'live. Cf. on G. 1, 49, G. 3, 420, and see in Lex. 1. lares, U. B. l.—PenituSf 
'far within.' — Repertae, scil. sunt. 

44. Pumicibus, see in Lex. pumex, II. — Exesae, ' eaten oiit,' ' hoUow.' — 
Aniro, ' cavity.' 

45. Tu tamen, etc., the bee-keeper should aid the bees in their endeavors 
to make their abode secure, H. The order is, Tu tam&n, et unge circum rimosa 
cubilia Uvi limo, f ovens, et, etc. — 'smear their chinky chambers round.' 
Wagner and many others read e lem. 

46. Fovens, because one object is to keep out the cold air, ' warming them,' 
' to keep them warm.' — Raras, ' loose,' as leaves do not lie close when spread 
on any thing, K. ; or, ' scattered,' ' thinly spread,' ' a few.' 

47. Tectis, ' dwellings,' i. e. their hives. — Taxum. Cf. on E. 9, 30. 

48. Cancros rubentes, ' reddening crabs.' The ancients used to burn crabs 
as a remedy against certain diseases. The smell which they emitted in burn- 
ing was thought to be injurious to bees, V. As is well known, crabs turn red 
under the influence of heat, K. — Crede, 'trust,' as harmless; or scil. tecta. 

49. Aui, scil. locis, to be supplied from ubi. The dislike of bees for strong 
smeUs is abundantly vouched for by various authorities whom Cerda quotes. 
Pliny, (11, 18), says, that they attack persons who are strongly perfumed; 
Columella, (9, 14), that they are angry at those who smell of Aviue, Con. — 
Pulsu, 'with the stroke,' or 'impact,' of a sound: the two clauses state the 
same thing, Con. 

50. Vocis imago, ' the reflection of the voice,' ' the echo ' ; see in Lex. 
imago, I. B. 1. — Offensa, ' striking,' against the rocks, Gr. § 274, 2, K. 3, (a). 
There is some impropriety in the iise of the word here, as that which strikes 
the rock is the actual sound; the reflection or echo is that which is returned, 
Con. Modern writers speak less decisively of the eff'ect of sound on bees, 
some doubting whether they have a sense of hearing, Con. 

51. Quod superest. Cf. on G. 2, 346. — Pulsam egit=pepuUi, ' has driven 
away,' H. 

52. Sub terras. The ancients thought that the interior of the earth was 
cold in summer, but warm in winter, Serv., refen-ing to Lucr. 6, 840, sq. — 
Caelum reclusit, ' opened the heavens.' In the Avinter the sky is closed up 
with clouds and bound with frost, so that it is here said to be opened and 
relaxed by light and warmth, Cx>n. The year is here viewed as divided into 
two seasons, winter and summer, K. 

54. Purjmreos, see in Lex. II. B. — Metunt jioi^es, ' reap the flowers,' i. e. 
collect the pollen, Con. — Libant, see in Lex. 1. libo, I. B. 1. 

55. Leves, ' light ' ; as while on the wing they sip the water. — Huic, i. e. 
from the flowers and water, H. — Nescio — laetae may refer either to the plea- 
sure of collecting the pollen, or to the delight of rearing their young, Con. 

56. Progeniem nidosque, ' their offspring and their young,' ' their young off- 
spring.' — Arte, ' with art,' ' ingeniously.' — Recentes, ' new.' — Fovent, probably 
in a wide sense, expressing warmth as well as support. Con. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 295 

58. Hlnc, 'on this account,' their love of trees and water, JT., Con.; * after- 
wards,' 'after this, H. — Enissum.^ 'after issuing.' Cf. on v. 22. — Ad sidera 
caeli, ' to the stars of lieaven,' i. e. aloft in the air. 

59. Aestaiem Uqiddam; see in Lex. aestas, 3. Cf in Gray's Ode to Spring: 
" And float timid the liquid noon." — Suspexeris, ' shall look up at,' ' shall look 
tip and see.' — Agmen, i. e. ' a swartn.' 

60. Obsmram lUbbtin, i. e. the swarm. — Truld^ 'drawn out,' 'driven' or 
' carried along.' 

61. Contemplator, ' attend,' ' watch.' Cf. G. 1, 187. 

62. Huc^ ' here,' i. e. on some tree towards which they may be tending 
and to which you wish to lure them, Con. Cf. on G. 2, 76. — Jussos, i. e. those 
which I am going to direct you to use, H. — Sapores, see in Lex. I. B. 2; re- 
ferring to the juices of the plants named. See on v. 65. 

63. /(jnobile gramen, ' the common herb.' 

64. Tinnitiisqzie cie, 'and make a tinkling.' — 3fatris, i. e. Cybele; see in 
Lex. mater, I. B. The priests of Cybele, the mother of the gods, used to beat 
brazen drums or cymbals, in the sacrifices to that goddess, M. The making 
of a tinkling noise with brazen utensils is used among us to cause the swarms 
of bees to settle: Aristotle mentions this custom, and questions whether they 
hear or not, and whether it be delight or fear that causes the bees to be 
quieted with these noises; Varro (3, 16), ascribes it to fear, Pliny, (11, 20), to 
pleasure, M. This practice is now disapproved of by those learned in the 
habits of bees, Br. 

65. Ipsae, 'of themselves.' — Consident, ' will settle. '• — Medicatis sedibus, see 
in Lex. medicatus, under medico. Others explain sapores, v. 62, to mean ' odors,' 
' odoriferous herbs,' and medicatis, ' medicated,' * rubbed ' with the herbs. 

66. Cunabula, ' cradle,' i. e. the hive, the rearing-place of their young. 

67. Sin autem, etc. Virgil evidently intended to give directions as to 
what should be done by the bee-keeper in the case of a battle, as he has just 
now laid down a rule to meet the case of swarming; but he strikes at once 
into a parenthesis which swells into a regular description, forming a para- 
graph of itself, and we can only collect Avhat the apodosis Avould have been 
from vs. 86, 87, and the following paragraph, where he returns from the bees 
to their owner: — this irregularity of structure, as Forb. remarks, has doubt- 
less a design of its own, the poet throwing himself into the enthusiasm of the 
subject, and sympathizing with his heroes, Con. So also Wr. — Exierint 
refers to what has been said previously, (v. 58, etc.) about their leaving the 
hive, so that ad jmgnnm is emphatic : ' if their going out be for battle,' Con. 

G8. Re gibus incesdt, instead of reges incessit, Gr. § 233, (3), N., and see in 
Lex. incedo, II. B. (/S). Regibns. Cf. on v. 21. — Discordia. Other reasons for 
these conflicts are assigned by ancient and modern authorities beside the 
clahns of rival monarchs, such as rivalry in getting honey, (Pliny 11, 17), and 
actual want, when the inhabitants of one hive will attack another, (Aristotle 
H. A. 9, 40), and if one nation loses its queen, the vanquished will combine 
with the victors, (London Encyclopaedia, Apis), Con. — Motu, see in Lex. 
IL B. 1. 



296 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

69. Animos, see in Lex. 11. 2, c. — Trejndaniia hello, ' palpitating for the 
war,' i. e. with eagerness for the war; bello being in the dative, Voss. 

71. Martins aeris canor is explained by the next line to mean a sound as 
of a trumpet, Con. — Ille, see in Lex. IL A. — Aeris rauci, etc. The terms 
and actions of Roman military life are applied to the habits of the bees in the 
following lines, Br. 

72. Fractos, ' broken,' expressing the successive short blasts of a trum- 
pet, Con. 

73. Trepidue, ' in a hurry,' ' hastily.' — Inter se coeunt, ' they assemble.' — 
Pennisgue coruscani, ' they vibrate with their wings,' i. e. they vibrate or move 
their wings quickly, K. 

74. Spiculaque exacuunt rostris, for rostrorum, Virgil expressing himself as 
if the bees wounded by their bite, cf. morsibus, v. 237; but the words might 
also mean ' and sharpen their stings against their beaks,' which again would 
be a mistaken statement, as Keightly says, Con. — Ajitant lacertos, ' prepare 
their arms,' a figure taken from the language of the ring, and referring to the 
practice of the pugilists, who toss their arms and beat the air, as a prelude 
to the fight, iT., Br., 'get in order for action,' Con. 

75. Frattoria, ' the royal cell,' see in Lex. L 5, and cf. on v. 71. 

76. Miscentur, see in Lex. L B. 3. — Vocant, ' challenge.' 

77. Nactae, scil. sunt.— Camposqut patentes, ' and open fields,' here used 
of the air, the battle-field of the bees, patentes apparently meaning cleared 
from storms. Con. 

78. Concurritur, 'tbe battle begins,' 'they join battle.' Aethere in alto 
might also be taken with concurritur. — 79. Orbem, 'mass,' 'melee,' Con. 

81. Tantum glandis, i. e. ' so many acorns,' K. 

82. Ij)si, scil. reges, H. — Per medias acies, scil. incedentes, Wr. — Insicjnibus 
alis, scil. instructi: ipsi is to be taken with insignibus alis {instructi), Wr. 
The real distinction between the wings of the queens and those of the rest is 
that the former are shorter ; but Virgil can scarcely have meant this : Colu- 
mella says that tlie reges have wings pulcri coloris, Con. 

83. Ingentes animos, ' mighty souls,' 31. — Versant, ' employ,' may refer to 
the plans which the generals are supposed to form, though it need be no more 
than a poetical equivalent for hnbent, Con. 

84. Usque adeo, etc. The order is, obnixi non cedere usque adeo dum gravis, 
etc. Obnixi, ' resolved,' ' determined.' Usque adeo dum, ' even until,' ' until.' — 
Aut hos aut hos. Cf. on E. 4, 56. IIos is used in the masculine, because the 
poet is regarding the bees as the soldiers of the two armies, Forb. 

85. Fi/ga dare terga versa, i. e. ' to turn their backs in flight.' 

88. Acie revocaveris. Cf on G. 2, 520. Acie, see in Lex. 4, b. — Ambo, 
Or. § 118, R. 1. 

89. Dcterior is explained by vs. 92, sq., so that it has no reference to infe- 
riority in the contest. Con. — Ne prodigvs obsif, 'lest wasteful he do injury,' 
i. e. lest he do hurt by consuming honey without making any return. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 297 

90. Dede neci, ' kill.' — Vacua in aula, ' in the empty court,' ' in the court 
without him,' i. e. which is freed from the presence of the other king.— 
Sine regnei, Gr. § 262, R. 4. 

91. Maculis auro squalentibus ardens, ' glowing with spots rough with 
gold,' apparently meaning that the spots seem to be laid on like scales of 
gold. Con. 

92. Ore=forma, H., and seems to refer to ' form ' as distinguished from 
color, Con. 

93. With regard to the tW'o kinds of royal bees, which Columella admits, 
and which Virgil describes in so beautiful a manner, all we can say is, that 
there is no foundation in fact for this distinction ; and that ancient writers 
may probably have confounded the drone, to which the latter description ap- 
plies, with the queen bee, which is distinguished from the rest by its more 
brilliant color, as well as by its greater size, Daubeny. — Rutilk clarus squamis 
=maculis auro squalentibus v. 91, Con. — Ilk alter, ' the other.' — Ilorridus^ 
' rough,' ' shaggy,' seems to express the squalor arising from inaction, its hair 
rough, etc., Coru 

94. Desidia, ' through sloth,' in consequence of sloth. — Lalam, ' broad,' 
* large.' 

95. Binae, Gr. § 120, 4, (o). — Faciesz=ore, v. 92, see in Lex. I. A. — CoV' 
j)ora ; this is merely a variation of phrase after fades, K. 

96. Turpes horrent, ' being ugly are rough,' i. e. 'have an unsightly rough- 
ness ' or ' squalor.' Cf. v. 93. — Ceu pulvere, etc. The order is, ceu viator (hor- 
ret) quum venit ab alto j^idvere, — 'from the high dust,' 'from a very dusty- 
road,' i. e. where the dust rises as it were in a column. 

97. Terram, i. e. pulverem, H. — 98. Aridus=sitiens, ' thirsty.' 

99. Ardentes coipora. Cf. on E. 1, 55, and E. 3, 106. — Lita auro et paribus 
gutiis, ' overlaid ' or ' covered with gold and equal spots,' i.e. ' with equal 
golden spots.' Gr. § 323, 2, (3). 

100. Hi7ic, i. e. from these. — Caeli tempore. Cf. on G. 3, 327. — Tempore 
certo. The seasons meant are spring and autumn, cf. v. 231, Jff. 

101. Premes, ' press,' ' strain,' the honey being strained through wicker 
work, before being put into jars, Col. 9, 15 : Hor. Ep. 2, 15, Con. — Nee tantum 
dulcia, ' and not so much sweet,' ' not so sweet.' 

102. Liqidda, ' cleai',' ' limpid,' and therefore able to overcome the harsh 
taste of wine, K. He seems to mean that the clearer and thinner the honey, 
the more readily it Avould blend with the wine. The liquor thus composed 
was called mulsum; it cojisisted of two parts wine and one part honey; strong 
old wine, such as Falernian was preferred for making it, Plin. 11, 15, K. 

103. Incerta volant. Cf. on E. 3, 8, 63, G. 3, 149, ' vaguely,' ' without an 
object,' as opposed to their issuing forth to collect honey. Con. 

104. Friyida tecta. i. e. their abodes cold by reason of their not occupying 
them, K. Frigida, used proleptically. Cf. on G. 1, 320. 

105. Prohibebis. Gr. § 259, R. 1, (4), and § 267, R. 2. 

106. Tu. Cf. on. G. 2, 241. — Alas eripe: this is to be done, according to 
Col. 9, 10, by first rubbing the hand with balm, which will prevent the bees 



298 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

from flaring olT: Didj-mus (in Geop. 15, 4), and Pliny (11, 17), speak merely 
of clipping the wings, Con. 

107. I Ills cunctantibus, ' whilst they tariy,' i. e. whilst they remain at 
home. — Quisquam is employed because the individual bees are spoken of as 
soldiers, Br. ; cf. on v. 84. — Altum ire iter, ' to take their flight aloft ' : altum 
like caelo ludunt, as opposed to flying near the flowers. Con. 

108. Vdlere signa, ' to pluck up the standards,' as was done when a camp 
was about to be moved. This may refer to a battle like that described 
above, which the bee-keeper might wish to prevent; but it seems simpler 
to suppose that he is merely speaking of an ordinary flight in military 
terms, Co7i. 

10&. Another way of keeping bees near the hive is to provide a garden, 
for them, Con. — Croceis, see in Lex. 2, the definite for the indefinite, K. 

110. Let there be a garden placed under the guardianship of Priapus, 
seems to mean, Let there be a regular garden, complete in its appointments, 
Con. — Custos furum, 'the keeper of thieves,' i. e. who guards or protects 
against them: the objective genitive, Gr. § 211, E. 2: like (pv?.aKf) kukov. — 
Cum fake suligna. A sickle made of willow was usually placed in the right 
hand of the images of Priapus set up in gardens. 

111. Tutela Priapi, ' the protection of Priapus,' i. e. ' the protecting Pria- 
pus,' as Milton uses "the might of Gabriel" for "the mighty Gabriel," Br. 

112. Ipse, cui talia curae, serai, ' let him, who has the care of such things,' 
i. e. the bee-keeper, 'himself plant.' Gr. § 227. Ipse is meant to emphasize 
the importance of the direction given, and to keep up the general tone of the 
Georgics, enforcing the necessity of personal labor, and the dignity arising 
from it, Con.— Finos. Cf. on E. 7, 65. 

113. Tecta, i. e. ' the hive,' ajnarium, Wr. 

114. Labo7-e duro, i. e. in digging and planting, K. — Terat, 'rub,' and so 
'harden.' Cf. Tibull. 1, 4, 48, 02)ere atterere manus, and Lucr. 5, 1359, sq. 
Atque ipsi pariter durum sufferre laborem, Atgue opere in duro durarent membra 
manusque, Forb. — Feraces j)lantas. Cf. on G. 2, 79. 

115. Figat, in the same sense as premere, G. 2, 346. — Ainicos irriget im- 
bres, scil. plantis, H. — Amicos, ' friendly,' i. e. welcome and salubrious. 
Lnbres, i. e. spring or river water, II. ; see in Lex. IL C. 

116. Atque equidem, etc. The poet having mentioned the advantage of 
gardens with respect to bees, takes occasion to speak of them cursorily, but 
in such beautiful terms tliat every reader must wish that Virgil had expa- 
tiated on this subject, M. Equidem refers to the precept just given: as I re- 
commend the bee-keeper to cultivate flowers I should myself write on the 
subject, Con. — Ni traham, ' were I not furling.' 

117. Vela traham, etc. He recurs to the metaphor of G. 2, 41, sq. Tra- 
ham., ' take in,' ' shorten,' ' furl.' Traham— festinem — canerem, Gr. § 258, I. 
& IL b. 

118. Cava colendi. Colendl is alm.ost pleonastic, Con. 

119. Bifeii, ' twice-blowing.' The rosa semj^erfiorens introduced from China 
into England about the year 1789, flowers the greater part of the year, V. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 299 

120. Potis rivis, 'in the rivulets drunk by them,' in the water they drink, 
Br. See in Lex. potus, II., under poto. — Intuba. The plant which Virgil 
means in this place is ' endive,' that being the name of the garden o-t'ptj, 
whereas the mild sort is our succory. Cf. on G. 1, 120, M. 

121. Apio^ see in Lex., and cf. on E. 6, 68. — Tortus per herham, 'winding 
along the grass,' Con, 

122. Cresceret in ventrem^ ' grow into belly,' ' swell,' K. — Sera comantem, 
* late flowering.' The comae of flowers are the leaves or petals, and hence 
they stand for the flowers themselves. Cf. v. 137, Forh. Sera for sero. Cf. 
on G. 3, 149. In a favorable climate the narcissus flowers about the autumnal 
equinox, Theophr. H. P. 6, 6, Con. 

123. Flexi, 'bent' or 'bending,' because the stalk, after attaining its 
growth, bends back and inclines towards the earth. Hence it is here said to 
have vimen, ' a pliant twig,' instead of caulem, ' a stalk,' H. — Acanthi. Cf. on 
E. 3, 45. 

124. Pallentes hederas. Cf. on E. 3, S9.—Amantes Jltora. Cf. G. 2, 112. 

125. Namque, etc. He gives an instance that he had seen of the profitable 
nature of a garden, K. — Oeballae, see in Lex. Oebahis and Tarenium. 

126. Niger, ' black,' ' dark.' The waters of this river are clear, but it is 
of some depth; hence he calls it dark, in opposition probably to the Jlavus 
Tibris and other rivers of Italy, which wei-e usually turbid, K. ; the epithet 
may also be referred to the shade from the trees on its banks. — Flaventia cuUa, 
' the yellow fields ' of corn. 

12T. Corycium, see in Lex. Coi^ycius under Corycos. The Cilicians were 
very skillful in gardening, Wr. — Relicti ruris, 'neglected lands,' i. e. land 
which on account of its poverty had been left out by the surveyors when 
measuring out lands to colonists, K. Virgil says it was not fit for tillage, for 
pasture or for the vine. 

128. Fertilis jurencis, ' yielding produce to ' or ' under — ' ; or juvencis= 
arando, ' fruitful for purposes of ploughing,' Con. H. explains it juvencorum 
labore, aratione. — 129. Seges, see in Lex. II. A. 

130. Hie seems to be the pronoun rather than the adverb. Con. — Rarum, 
' not close together,' ' at intervals,' i. e. ' in.rows or drills.' — In dumis, ' in the 
bushes,' i. e. ' in the bushy soil,' in the soil having a tendency to produce 
thorn-bushes, H. — Circum, ' round ' the beds of garden herbs, II. 

131. Fer&ewrts seems here to mean 'vervain,' which was planted for the 
sake of the bees, //., and also for medicinal purposes, M. — Premens. Cf on 
G. 2, 346. — Vescum. Cf. on G. 3, 175. The reference here is probably to the 
smallness of the poppy's seeds, Wr., Con. 

132. Reyum aequabat opes animis, ' he matched the wealth of kings by his 
spirit,' i. e. his spirit was as high as if he had a king's wealth: cf. Hor. 2. 
Od. 10, 20, rebus angustis animosus atque fortis appare, Con. The reading 
animis is su.pported by the authority of the best Mss., but Wr. adopts animo, 
which would give the meaning 'he matched in his own imagination the 
wealth of kings,' i. e. he thought himself as rich as a king, Con. — Revertens 
domum, i. e. coming in from his work in the garden, K, 



300 BOOK IV. jS^OTES. 

133. Inemptis, being the produce of his garden, K. 

134. Carjjere. Cf. on G. 1, 200. 

135. Etiamnum, ' still,' referring to past time, see in Lex. I. 

136. Riiniperet. Cf. on G. 3, 363. Virgil is thinking rather of the effect 
of cold in other places than at Tarentum, where the winter was unusually 
mild, Con. 

137. Comam, ' the flower,' cf. on v. 122. The pomt here is that the old 
man got his plant to flower before the season, Cm. — Mollis, ' soft,' ' delicate.' 
— Toiidebat=carpehat, see in Lex. IL A. 

138. Increpitans, ' taunting,' ' deriding,'the spring for its laziness, Burm., 
Forb., Con.: 'chiding,' H. 

139. Ergo, etc. In consequence of the numerous and early flowers which 
he had, he of course had plenty of bees and honey, and his bees were the 
first to swarui. — Apibus fetis. Cf. on E. 1, 50. — MuUo examine, ' with numerous 
swarms.' — Fetis is inconsistent with vs. 197 — 202. 

140. Cogere, see in Lex. L — Fressis. Cf. on v. 101. 

141. Tiliae. The lime-tree is known to be a favorite with bees. Con. — 
Uberrima, ' plentiful,' ' plenty of.' — Finns. Cf. on v. 112. 

142. Quotque, etc., ' and with as many fruits,' etc. The meaning is, that 
whatever promise of fniit the tree made when in blossom in the spring, was 
always sure to be verified in the autumn: he uses pomis for the blossoms 
that promise fniit, K. — Tn Jlore novo, ' in early blossom,' M. 

143. Mafura, (scil. poma) tenebat, ' it retained ripe.' 

144. Seras, ' far-gxown,' ' fuU-gi'Own,' 'old,' Serv., Fhilarg., K, Voss,3I., 
Con. ; which seems better than the meaning ' slow-growing,' given by Wr. 
and Forb. — Every one of the trees here mentioned has an epithet added to it, 
to signify its being well grown, M. — In versum, ' in rows,' =i?j orcZinem, Con. — 
Distulit, 'planted out,' 'transplanted.' 

145. Fruna, which had been engrafted on them. 

147. Fquidem, see in Lex. II. 2. — Spatiis iniquis, ' by too narrow a space,' 
by want of room ; see in Lex. iniquus, I. B. — Exclusus, see in Lex. II. 

149. Nunc age, a Lucretian formula of transition. Con. — Naturas, see in Lex. 
n. A. This word is the object of expediam: see note on the next verse. — 
Ipse. Cf. on E. 8, 96. 

150. Fro qua mercede, ' for which reward,' instead of mercedem, propter 
quod qyaverant. Con. He makes the bees, like men, with whom all through 
he assimilates them, to labor with a view to the reward, instead of the re- 
ward being a thing of which they had no previous conception, and which 
was given in consequence of their labors, K. — Canoros Curetum, etc. " This 
alludes to the fable of Cybele's concealment of Jove in a cave of the Dictaean 
mountain in Crete, when his father Saturn sought to kill and devour him. 
The clangor of the cymbals and arms of the Curetes drowned the noise of the 
infant," (and attracted the bees, cf. v, 64">: "his food was goat's milk and 
honey," V. vlfMf/// need mean no more than indidit; it seems however from the 
context to be used in our sense of 'add,' as if the bees had not had their 
nature originally, but received it afterwards as wages : so virus serpentibus 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 301 

addidit, G. 1, 129, Con. Naturas is the object of expediam, quas being simply 
relative, not quasi-interrogative, which accounts for the indicative addidit, 
Con. — Canoros, 'shrill' or ' sonorous.' 

153, Solae communes natos, 'they alone have their young in common.' 
The refereAce is to a community of children, like that desired by Plato in his 
Republic, to which Servius appositely refers, Con. Keightley observes that 
the poet, in his zeal to exalt the bees, seems to have forgotten the ants, who, 
except in the construction of combs, must in the opinion of the ancients 
fully have equalled the bees in knowledge and industry. Cf. G. 1, 186. — 
Consortia tecta urhis^ ' the united dwellings of a city,' ' dwellings united into a 
city,' the latter being the emphatic word, Con. 

154. Magnis, ' great,' is probably merely an ennobling epithet of legihus, 
K., like rwj; //fyaP.wv BzofiSiv, Soph. Ant. 797; they live under the majesty of 
law. Con. — 155. Cerios., see in Lex. certiis, II. A. 1, under cerno. 

157. Experiunlur, ' make trial of,' ' undergo.' — In medium quaesita. Cf. on 
G. 1, 127. 

158. Victu. Cf. note on curru, E. 5, 29. — Foedere pacio, ' by a settled ' or 
'regular agreement.' 

159. Exercentur=^exercent se, see in Lex. II. A. (j8). 

160. Narcissi lacrimam^ i. e. the sweet drop which exudes from the flower. 
The cup of this flower was supposed to contain the tears of the youth Nar- 
cissus, who wept to death, M. — Gluten. Cf. on v. 40. 

162. Siispendunt. This word is properly used, for bees commence their 
work at the top of the hive and work downward. 

163. Edacunt fttus, 'lead out — ,' teach to fly, to gather honey &c., K. 

165. Sorii, probably the ablative, ' by lot,' Wr., F., Lade., Con. See Gr. 
4 82, Exc. 5, (o). Voss and Jahn take it for the dative, 'as their lot' or 
' charge.' 

166. Inque vicem, for et invicem, Gr. § 323, 4, (5). — Aquas is to be taken 
with caeli. — The bees always contrive to avoid rain, scarcely any of them 
being ever caught in a shower, unless from some accidental disablement, 
(Lond. Enc), Con. 

167. Aymine facto, ' forming a troop,' M. 

168. Fucos, see in Lex. 2. fucus. — Praesepibiis, see in Lex. 2)^nesepe, II. A. 
— The drones are not expelled, but massacred after the swarms have left the 
hive: VaiTO however (3, 16), and Col. (9, 15), agree with Virgil; and Aelian 
(1, 10), says that the drone is first chastised gently for stealing honey, and 
afterwards, on repetition of the offence, put to death. Con. 

169. Fei'vet, see in Lex. II. (a). — This sums up the description, directing 
the attention from the various parts to the whole effect: so at the conclu- 
sion of the similar description of the ants, A. 4, 407, opere omnis semita fer- 
ret, Con. 

170. He compares the division and fervor of labor in tlie bee-hive to that 
of the Cyclopes in the cavern of Aetna, when forging the thunderbolts, K. — 
Cyclopes. Cf. on G. 1, 471. — Massis, i. e. ferri or metalli. 

26 



302 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

171. Properant=i2)roperanter conjiciuni, o-treboovaiv, H. ; see in Lex. I. Un- 
remitting industry is part of the point of comparison, Con. — Taurinis, *of 
bulls hide,' ' bull-hide.' 

17'2. Tingunt, ' wet,' ' dip.' 

173. Lacu, ' in the trough.' It seems better to understand lacus of a 
trough of water standing by for the purpose, than to suppose it with Heyne 
to be used poetically for aqua, like fons: but Ameis may be right in giving 
it its ordinary sense, as if nothing smaller than a lake or pool would suit such 
gigantic operations. Can. — Impositis incudibus, ' when the anvils are set up,' 
i. e. on the blocks, h aKfioBcrio, Voss, but, as Con. remarks, it is simpler to 
explain it ' with the anvils placed on it,' meaning that the mountain groans 
beneath the weight of the, anvils. 

174. Inter sese, by turns,' ' alternately.' The appropriateness of the rhythm 
in this verse is worthy of notice. 

175. In numerum, ' in harmony,' ' in regular cadence,' V. ; cf. on E. 6, 27. 

177. Cecropiasi, i. e. Atticas. The honey of Hymettus (see in Lex.) was 
of superior quality, V. Cf. on E. 1, 55. — Innatus, ' innate.' — Amor habendi, 
* desire of having property,' ' of gi-owing rich,' a human passion being attri- 
buted to the bees. — Urget, ' urges on,' ' stimulates.' 

178. Munere suo^ ' in his own office,' ' in his proper sphere.' Cf. vs. 158, sq. 
— Grandaevis, etc. There is here a reference, as Servius remarks, to the 
custom of setting the old men to man the walls Avhile the young go out and 
fight. Con. 

179. JSlunire, i. e. fngere, fabricari, H. 

ISO. Multa node, 'late in the night'; an inappropriate expression here, as 
the bees, like all other animals, hasten home before it is dark; see v. 186, K., 
Can. — Referunt se, see in Lex. L A. b. 

181. Q-iira. Cf. on E. 1, bb.—Pascuntur. Cf. on G. 3, 314. Pascuntur in 
order of time would precede referunt, Con. 

182. Salices. Cf. on G. 2, 13, and on E. 1, 55, salictL— Casinm. Cf. on E. 2, 
49, and on G. 2, 213. — Rubentem. The petal of the saffron flower is purple, 
but the three divisions of the style are of the color of fire, 31. Col. (9, 4), 
directs it to be planted near the hive to color and scent the honey, Co7i. 

1S3. Pinguem, ^ M,' 'rich,' so called from the gluten on its leaves, ff., 
Coi). — Ftrrugineos. Cf. on G. 1, 467. 

184. Quies operum, 'rest from Avork.' 

185. Ruunt portls. Cf. Liv. 27, 41, equites peditesque certatim partis rniere. 

186. E pastil, ' from feeding.' Cf. G. 1, 381. 

187. Corpora curant, referring to the evening refreshment: Servius ob- 
serves that as applied to men it includes bathing as well as eating; as applied 
to bees, only the latter. Con. 

188. Mussant, ' murniiu",' ' hum.' 

189. Thalamls, see in Lex. IL B. — Se composuere, see in Lex. campono, IL 
B. 1. 

190. In noctem, ' for the night,' K. — Sopor suus, ' their sleep,' is probably 
to be explamed like vere sua, v. 22, ' the sleep they love,' ' kindly sleep,' Con. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 303 

It is explained by others either to mean 'well-earned sleep,' or 'the sleep pe- 
culiar to them.' See Gr. § 208, (8). 

191. Nee vero seems to mark a transition, as in G. 2, 109, there being no 
particular connection of this and the following notices of the habits of bees 
with the preceding description or with each other. Con. 

192. Credunt caelo, i. e. trust to the aspect of the sky, Con. — Adventantibus, 
' approaching.' 

193. C^rcum, ' round ' the hive; explained by sub moenibus urbis, Con. 

194. M saepe lapillos^ etc. Aristotle, (H. A. 9, 40), and other ancient 
writers say that bees ballast themselves with stones. Con. The notion may 
have arisen from seeing the mason-bee, or some other species, carrying the 
sand or gravel of which their abodes are constructed, V. 

196. The spondee tollunt, followed by a pause, expresses the difficulty of 
rising into the air so ballasted, as Wr. remai'ks. Con. — Mania, ' empty,' ' light,' 
' unsubstantial ' : the epithet here accounts for the need of ballast, Co7i. 

197. Adeo. Cf. on E. 4, 11. — The opinion here expressed, that bees do not 
generate like other animals, but find their young among the flowers, or a 
similar opinion, was held by others of the ancients: see Aristot. H. A. 5, 21; 
Plin. 11, 16, Con. More careful observation has now proved that the queen- 
bee is the mother of the hive: within eight weeks she lays from ten to twelve 
thousand eggs, Voss. Daxibeny says; " The erroneous notion entertained by 
the ancients with regard to the sex of the royal bee, kept them in ignorance 
as to the generation of these insects, and led to many fanciful and absurd 
hypotheses on the subject. Thus Virgil says that they are produced sine 
concvbiiu, and that they gather their young themselves from flowers and 
sweet herbs." 

198. Concubitu, the old form of the dative. Cf viciu, v. 158. — Nee coi-pora 
segnes solvunt, etc., 'they do not relax their bodies in love, so as to become 
sluggish,' ' languid ' or ' enervated ' : segnes being proleptic, Br. Cf. on G. 1, 
320 , ' they do not enervate their bodies by venery.' 

200. Ipsne, ' of themselves,' without the male, Wr., Con. — Natos, i.e. 'their 
young.' — Suavibus, the plants from which they gather honey. Con. 

201. Quirites, ' citizens ' ; see in Lex. II. 

202. Sitfficiunt. Cf. G. 3, 65. — Rejingunt, 'make anew,' 're-form': this is 
naturally mentioned in connection with the renovation of the race. Con. 

203. Verse 206 seems to be so closelj^ connected with v. 202, that most 
editoi's think that vs. 203, 204, 205 are inserted here out of place, and II., 
Foi'b. and K. think they properly come in after v. 196, while Wr. is of opinion 
that Virgil Avrote them in the margin, after the poem was finished, and that 
they were afterwards taken into the text. There is no authority in the Mss. 
for either of these suppositions. But, as Conington observes, perhaps a close 
connection is not to be sought for in a context like this, where, as has been 
remarked on v. 191, the various notices of the habits of bees seem to be 
rather isolated from each other. If it is necessarj' to discover a link, it may 
be suggested, that the mention of the constant succession reminded Virgil 
of the accidents which carry off bees before their time, in themselves a 



304 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

proof of the energy of the race, and that thence he was led to observe that 
in spite of the frequency of such accidents and the short lives enjoyed by in- 
dividuals in any case, the line was inextinguishable, Con. 

204. Ultro^ 'voluntarily,' 'of their own accord,' Con. Cf. on E. 8, 52. The 
death of the bees may be considered as gratuitous, or what is the same thing, 
generous, being encountered in the public service. The death is doubtless 
meant to be the result of the injury to the wings, so that sub feme may ex- 
press not only the effect of the load in helping to destroy hfe, but the con- 
stancy of the sufferer in refusing to part with his burden, Con. Wagner ex- 
plains it by adeo^ insuper. — Dedere, ' yielded iip.' 

205. Generandi, ' in producing,' ' making.' 

206. Ergo seemhigly calls back the mind to the main thought of the pre- 
ceding context, the propagation of the race of bees. Con. — Ipsas, distinguished 
from ffenus, Con. 

207. Excipiat. Cf. on G. 2, 345.— PZms. Cf. on ampUus, E. 3, 105.— Ducitia-, 
see in Lex. II. B. 3, b. — It is now the prevalent opinion, we believe, that bees 
do not live more than a year, K. 

208. Atz^attamen, tlra, a?.?.a, H. 

209. Domus, see in Lex. II. 2. — Aii numerantur avorum expresses retro- 
spectively what is expressed prospectively by gcmis immortale manet, Con. 

210. Their submission to their monarch is more than oriental: social order 
with them is bound up with his life: they guard him, carry him, and die for 
him, Con.—Nori—et. Cf. on G. 2, 87. 

211. Lydia is styled ingens with reference to the power and wealth of 
Croesus. — ffydaspes, the river for the people. Cf. on G. 2, 225. The river is 
called 3Iedus, i. e. ' Persian,' because it rose in a mountain of Persia, If., 
Wr., Forb. 

212. Observant, see in Lex. II. C. 

213. Amisso, soil. rege. — Rupere fidem, ' break their promise,' or ' faith,' 
i. e. break the ties by which they are held together as a community. Rupere 

. . . diripuere. Cf. on G. 1, 49. — Constructa mella, ' the honey built up,' 'the 
fabric of their honey,' Con. Constructa seems to refer rather to the honey- 
combs than to the honey, the same thing which is expressed by crates fuvo- 
rum, Con. 

214. Crates favormn, ' the Avickers of their combs,' i. e. ' the honey-combs,' 
alluding to their artificial structure. 

216. Dense, see in Lex. I. B. 2. — Frequentes, ' in great numbers.' 

217. Attollunt humevis. This takes place, according to other rustic writers, 
when the monarch is sick, aged or tired. Con. Cerda compares the custom 
of the Eoman soldiers taking up their commander on their shields and pro- 
claiming him emperor. Con. — BeJlo with objectant. 

218. Objectant, ' expose,'i. e. for liim, out of regard for him. — Per vulnera, 
' through Avounds.' Per apparently signifies not ' by means of,' but, as we 
should say, ' through a shower of wounds. Con. 

219. Virgil seems here to confuse two classes of thinkei^s, those who from 
the special qualities of the bees consider them to be specially gifted with divine 



BOOK IV. — NOTES. 805 

wisdom (cf. divinitiis, G. 1, 416), and those who believe in the doctrine of the 
anima mundi^ the soul of the world, or the divine mind, Con. Cf. on G. 1, 415. — 
His signis^ ' from these indications,' i. e. since there are such indications of 
the fact. Gr. § 257, R. 7, {a). — Seciiti, 'following,' 'having in view.' 

220. Partem divinae mentis, as Hor. 2, S. 2, 79, calls the human soul divinae 
particulam aurae : this Virgil goes on to express further by saying that they 
breathe not merely common air, but pure ether, which was supposed to be 
liquid flame, the essence of the human soul; purum . . . aetlieHum sensum 
atque aurai simplkis ignem, A. 6, 746, Con. — Haustus aeiherios^ 'ethereal 
draughts.' 

221. Deum namque, {sci\. dixerunt), ire per, 'for they have asserted that 
the deity pervades.' 

222. Profundum, see in Lex. I. B. 2, and cf. E. 4, 51. 

223. The construction is, Mnc pecudes, etc. arcessere sibi ienues vitas; 
guemque nascentem being parenthetic, K. 

224. Quemque nascentem, 'each at the time of its birth.' — Tenues, 'subtle,' 
quippe aetheriae naturae, H. — A^xessere^^accqiei'e, ' derive,' H. 

225. The order i?, s( ilk et {scil. dixerunt), omnia resoluta hue reddi deinde 
ac referri. Scilicet, 'that of course' or 'naturally.' //wc (as Mnc, v. 223), 
into this divine mind, K. Resoluta, ' when dissolved.' 

226. Omnia, * all thing?,' i. e. splritum omnium, quae vitam sibi ex aethere 
arcessiverunf, H. — Nee morti esse locum, ' and that there is no room for death,' 
i. e. there is no death, K. — According to Plutarch, it was the opinion of Py- 
thagoras and Plato, that the soul did not die, but that, when it left the body, 
it returned to the kindred soul of the universe, M. 

227. Sideris in numerum, ' into the number of the stars,' i. e. ' among the 
stars ' ; sideris being used collectively, ff., Wr., Forb. Cf. on G. 2, 342. It 
seems better, with Conington, to render the words 'into the place of a star.' 
He observes that numerus, like dptdixd;, seems to be applicable to a single in- 
dividual, designating as it were his place as a unit; and he adds that the re- 
ference is partly to the Pythagorean doctrine that each planet was animated 
by an individual soul, partly to the mythological belief that human beings 
and other animals were changed into constellations. — Alto succedere caelo is 
but a repetition, in other words, of the idea already conveyed. 

228. Anyustam. Some Mss. have augustam, which is preferred by Heyne 
and Valpy. 

229. Thesauris is to be taken with servata, Wi*. — Relines. This is the 
technical word for opening casks by undoing the pitch with which they were 
fastened : the removal of the honey from the cells is supposed to be an anal- 
ogous process, on account of the sticky nature of the wax and gluten, (vs. 39, 
sq.). Con. — Prius haustu, etc., i. e. prius fove ora, sparsus, scil. ora, ( i. e. ha- 
bens OS sparsum, or spargens os) haustu aquarum, ' first correct your mouth, 
wetting it with a draught of water.' The precept intended to be conveyed is, 
to cleanse the mouth by rinsing it with water, (cf. on G. 2, 135), so as to 
make the breath sweet; the bees being supposed to dislike strong or offensive 
smells. Sparsus might be omitted without affecting the sense, and its inser- 

26* 



306 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

tion is due to poetic fullness of expression. There is gi-eat diversity in the 
readings and in the constructions of tliis passage, but the reading and ex- 
planation here given seem to present as few objections as any. 

230. Fumos : the smoke seems to have been intended not to stupefy the 
bees, but to drive them aAvay, Con. — Praetende, ' hold out before you,' K. 

231. This and the four following lines are tlu-own in as it were parentheti- 
cally, H., Con. — Gravidas^ 'copious,' 'abundant.' Cf. on G. 2, 143. — Cogunt^ 
scil. mellarii, Wr. and cf. on v. 140. — Fetiis, the ' production ' of the bees, 
i. e. mel. 

232. Taj/^e/e, etc., a poetic mode of saying, when the Pleiades (of whom 
Taygete was one), rise, K. Cf. on G. 1, 138. — Sinml. Cf. on E. 4, 26. — Hones- 
tum. Cf. on G. 2, 392. 

233. Plias is the correct orthogi-aphy, Pleias being a trisyllable. Con. — 
Oceani amnes, ' the stream of the ocean ' ; Homer's 'nKfavoio p6ai, as flowing 
round the earth, H. — Spretos, ' spurned,' is added poetically and aptly of that 
which is repelled with the foot, H. — Pede rejmlit, see in Lex. i-eptllo, 1. 

234. Aut eadem, etc., i. e. aut vbi eadem (Plias) descendit trisiior each in 
undashibernas; when the same constellation sets. Cf on G. 1,138. Trisiior, 
' sad,' ' sorrowful,' at the gloomy prospect of descending into the wintry 
waters, Br. — Fugiens sidus piscis aquosi, ' flying from the constellation of the 
watery fish.' This constellaiton is called aquosus because it betokens rain, H. 
It is uncertain what constellation is meant by aquosi piscis. Martyn thinks it 
is the Dolphin, which rises, he says, on the 27th of Dec, and sooner after 
the setting of the Pleiades than any other fish delineated on the celestial 
sphere: Servius says it is the star called the Southern Fish: Catrou and La 
Cerda explain it to mean 'the Fishes,' Pisces, and this opinion has the greater 
authority, being adopted by Wch., Voss, Wr:, Forb., Lade, and Con., sidua 
Piscis, ' the constellation of the Fishes,' which is visible the whole of every 
night during that season, being put generally for the winter, which is just 
coming on when the Pleiades set, though actually the sua does not enter 
Pisces till the latter part of the winter. Con. Cf Ov. M. 10, 165, Piscique 
Aries succedit aquoso. 

236. Cf. on V. 231. He now speaks of the danger in taking the honey, 
arising from the anger of the bees, which danger is to be avoided by the 
precautions mentioned above. Con. — fllis ira est, 'they are wrathful,' M., 
i. e. when their honey is taken, Wr. — Laesae, see in Lex. luedo, II. B. 

237. Morsibus, ' their bites,' i. e. the ' wounds ' occasioned by their stings, 
H. It may also be taken for ' their stings.' — Inspirant, ' breathe into,' ' in- 
fuse.' — Spicula caeca, ' their hidden darts,' i. e. their stings, which are so 
small as easily to escape notice, Serv., Forb. 

238. Affixae, in a middle sense, for se ajigentes, Y. ; ajfixae venis is a poet- 
ical variety for nffixa venis, AVr., Con. Vtnis, gravius quam cuti, corpori, H. — 
In vulnere, ' in the act of wounding,' //., Wr., or it may mean literally, ' in 
the wound,' Con. Cf. Sil. 12, 386 (quoted by Cerda), AUernique animas saevo 
in mucrone rdinqaunt, where it is doubtless meant that the life, like the blood, 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 307 

is left on the blade, Con. The bees were supposed to die when they lost their 
stings, Plin. 11, 18, K. 

239. Sin duram, etc. He now proceeds to speak of the manner in which 
those hives should be treated, where the honey is not taken, but left to sup- 
port the bees in winter, and mentions the plagues that infest them, M. He 
probably alludes to those instances m which, from the unfavorable season, or 
some other cause, the bees have collected but little honey, Wr. — 3fetues, i. e. 
for the bees. — Farces fuiuro^ ' shall be considerate for their future,' and so 
not deprive them of their honey. 

240. Contusos animos, ' broken spirits,' K. — Ees fractas^ ' ruined affairs,' K. 

241. At. Cf. on V. 208. — Suffire thymo. It would appear from Varro, 3, 16, 
and Col. 9, 14, that fumigation is recommended partly as a means of purifica- 
tion, partly as grateful to the bees, not, as some have thought, with a view to 
expelling or destroying the vermin. Con. 

242. Rjnotus culedit, 'iXaQe Tpwyu)v, II., ' consumes ' or ' devours unperceived.' 
Martyn renders iynotus by ' skulking.' 

243. Btdlio et. Gr. § 306, {i).— CubUia, scil. adederimt, H., Wr., Forb. 
Congesia cubilia hlattis, ' the lurking-places filled with cockroaches,' i. e. the 
cockroaches crowding together their sleeping-places, blattae cuhilibus in favos 
vacuos congestis, Forb. ; cubilia being put for the occupants. Others supply 
sunt after cmigesfa, and then, as Con. observes, the grammatical connection 
would be temporarily interrupted and immediately returned to in the next 
line. 

244. Immunis, aepydg, 'doing nothing,' 'idle,' Wr. — Fucus. Cf. on v. 168. 

245. Asper. Cf. on G. 3, 149. — Crabvo imparibus armis se immiscuit. scil. 
apibus, ' the hornet with unequal arms,' (i. e. arms which are more than a 
match for those of the bees), ' mingles with the bees.' Gr. § 211, R. 6, II., Forb. 
Another explanation is imjxiribus se i^ninisctdt armis, ' engages their unequal 
arms,' i. e. battles with the bees, which are not able to cope with a hornet. 
Armis would then be the dative; cf. A. 10, 796; 11, 815, where the words se 
immiscuit arviis occur again, Con. This explanation seems preferable. 

246. Tineae, scil. se immiscuerunt opibus. — Invisa Minervae, alluding to the 
transformation of Arachne (see in Lex.) to a spider. 

248. Quo magis, etc. These words contain a precept not to leave too much 
honey, lest the bees should become idle, //., Con. 

249. Incumbent sarcire, Gr. § 271, and cf. IMadvig, § 389, obs. 2: "By the 
poets even those verbs are constructed with the infinitive, which otherwise 
contain a complete idea in themselves, and are followed by ut or a preposi- 
tion, or those which figuratively denote an inclination, an effort, or the like." 
— Genens lapsi recalls the notion of a human family, as in v. 208, Con. 

250. Faros, ' rows of cells,' see in Lex. — Floribus. Cf. note on J'uco, v. 39. — 
Horrea, ' store-houses,' i. e. their cells of honey-comb. 

251. The apodosis would naturally have begun after v. 252, but the clause 
speaking of the easiness of prognostication leads to an enumeration of the 
symptoms, which swells into an independent sentence, so that the real apodo- 
sis is given in a seperate form, v. 264, Con. Vs. 253 — 263 may also be re- 



308 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

garded and punctuated as parenthetic, II. — Casus nostros, i. e. such as we ex- 
perience, K. 

252. Co7'pora may be nora. or ace. ; but the former is more like Virgil's 
general usage, Con. 

253. Jam seems to point to the time when the disease has made some pro- 
gress, and the symptoms are consequently explicit. Con. 

254. Alius, ' another,' ' a different.' 

255. Luce carentum, * of those withovit life,' ' of the dead.' The carrying 
out of the dead can hardly be called a symptom of disease, but it finds its 
place as a part of the description, and as one of the things which would strike 
an observer looking at the hive, Con. Dryden has amplified what the poet 
says of the funeral procession, M. : 

" And crowds of dead, that never must return 

To their lov'd hives, in decent pomp are borne ; 

Their friends attend the hearse, the next relations mourn." 

257. Pedibus connexae, ' united,' or ' clinging together by their feet,' as 
bees often hang together in a cluster. This however is said not to be a symp- 
tom of disease in bees, so that Wr. understands connexae of the individual 
insect drawing up its legs in death, while Heyne suggests connixae: but the 
common interpretation is supported by Aristot. H. A. 9, 40, Con. 

258. Clausis in aedibus, ' in the closed hive,' for clausae in aedibus, ' shut up 
in the hive.' Clatisis is merely an ordinary epithet, carrying out the sense 
of intus, and opposed to ad limina, Con. 

259. Contracto frigore, ' with contracted cold,' poetically instead of con- 
trattae frigore, H., showing the effect of the cold on the bees. 

260. TracUm susurrant, ' they make a drawling hum,' M. 

261. Friyidvs. Cf. on G. 1, 462, and 3, 279.— Quondam. Cf. on G. 3, 99.— 
The three similes here given are supposed to be taken from II. 14, 394, sq., 
where the shout of the contending armies is compared to waves breaking on 
the shoi:e, to fire in a mountain glen, and to wind among the trees. Con. 

262. Stridit, ' sounds,' ' roai's.' We have no word which will accurately 
give the sense of sir jJo in this place: it means the sound which the waves 
of the sea make when running back, after having rushed up on the beach, K. 

263. Clausis accounts for the sotmd. Con. See in Lex. aestuo, 1. 

264. IIic=tum, see in Lex. 2. /u'c, II. — Galhaneos odores, i. e. galbanum odo- 
ratum. Cf. on G. 1, 56, and 3, 415. 

265. Inferre canalibus may mean either ' to convey ' (to the hives) 'by 
troiighs ' or ' to introduce into troughs.' There seems to be an allusion in 
canalibus to the troughs from which cattle drank, (cf. on G. 3, 330); and 
arundinei canales then will be reeds used as ti'oughs, Con. — Uliro. Cf. on E. 
8, 52, and G. 4, 204: the bees not merely being allowed to drink, but invited, 
without any overture made on their part. Con. 

266. Fess'ts: of sickness, as in Hor. Carra. Saec. 63, Co7i. — Nota. Cf. on 
G. 1, 363. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 309 

267. Tunsum gallae saporem, for scqjorem tunsae gallae, Gr. § 205, R. 14. 
Cf. on E. 9, 46. Galls are given as astringents, as bees suffer from looseness 
in consequence of their diet. Col. 9, 13, Con. — Admiscere, soil, illis mellibus, 
quae infundis, H. 

268. Dried roses, like galls, are mixed with honey, Con. 

269. Defruta. Cf. on G. 1, 295.— Psyihia. Cf. on G. 2, 93.— Passos. Cf. on 
G. 2, 93, and see in Lex. passus 2, under 2. panda. 

270. Cecropium. Cf. on v. 177. — Centaurea, so called from the Centaur 
Chiron, who was said to have been cured by it of a wound accidentally in- 
flicted by an arrow of Hercules, 3f. 

271. Cui nomen amello. Cf on G. 3, 147. 

272. Facilis quaereniibns, ' compliant to those who seek it,' i. e. easily 
found. Cf. on G. 2, 223, Con. 

273. Caespite, ' root,' whose fibres are thick matted together so as to form 
a kind of turf, Ph'darg., M. — Ingentem silvam, ' a great wood,' i. e. a great 
number of stalks, M. 

274. Ipse, ' itself,' ' the flower itself,' i. e. the centre or disc of the flower, 
as distinguished from its petals, /oKis ; cf. on G. 2, 297, Con. The flower is 
of that sort which botanists call a radiated discous flower; the disc is yellow 
and the rays or leaves which surround the disc are purple like violets, M. 

276. Ornatae, scil. sunt. — Torquibus nexis, scil. ex hoc amello, ' with wreaths 
entwined from this amellus,' i. e. ' with festoons of it,' Wr. 

277. Tonsis, ' cropped,' i. e. where cattle graze. Cf. on G. 1, 206. 

279. Odoraio BaccTio, ' in fragrant wine.' Odoratus merely expresses the 
scent or bouquet of generous wine, Con. 

280. Pubula, ' the food,' thus prepared. 

282. Genus novae stirpis, ' the stock of a new family ' ; apparently pleonas- 
tic, as either novum genus or nova stirps might have expressed the meaning 
with revocetur, Con. — Revocetur, 'regained,' 'recovered.' — Habebit unde, 
' know whence,' see in Lex. Jiabeo, IL A. 2. 

283. Tempus pander-e. Cf. on G. 1, 213. — M. It seems doubtful whether et 
here means ' also,' i. e. in addition to the previous precepts and descriptions, 
or ' both,' referring to 5'jfe following, Con. — Tnventa. This plan is called his 
inventum apparently because he was the first who made it known to the world, 
though it was communicated to him by Proteus, as we shall see in the sequel, 
Con. — MagistH, i. e. pasioris. Cf. on E. 2, 33, and see G. 4, 317. The person 
meant is Aristaeus. 

284. Quoque modo, i. e. et quomodo. — Jam snepe, to be taken with tulerit, 
Forb. — Caesi's is said generally, the particular mode of slaughter being ex- 
plained below, V. 301, Con. 

285. Insincerus, 'corrupted.' — ^MZev•^7, ' produced,' see in Lex. /ero, I. B. 
3. This notion of the generatif|ji of bees from a putrid carcass, was common 
among the ancients, having arisen, as Heyne remarks, from bees having 
chosen the hollow of the body (as in other cases the hollow trunks of trees, 
G. 2, 453), as a convenient place for hiving, Con., or possibly, as Valpy says, 
from the resemblance between bees and flesh-flies, the latter being some- 



310 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

times found in gi'eat numbers preying on carrion. — AUius, ' from times re- 
mote,' ' from ancient times ' ; connect with expediam. 

286. Expediam, ' unfold,' Con. — Famam, ' tradition,' ' story.' 

287. This and the five following lines are a periphrasis for Egypt, Con. — 
Pellaei, an epithet given to Canopus in consequence of the conquest of Egypt 
b}' Alexander, Con. See in Lex. under Ptila and Canopus. — Foi'tunata, on 
accoimt of the fertility of the country. 

288. .^Mso, 'overflowed.' — Siagnanlem, 'forming a lake' or 'pool,' i.e. 
covering the land like a lake, in consequence of its overflow. 

289. Observe that circum is separated from its case. 

290. Quaque vicinia Persidis, etc., ' and where the neighborhood of Persia 
presses on,' i. e. where the neighboring country of Persia borders on Egypt; 
referring now to the eastern, as in Canopus to the icesiern side of the Delta or 
ofEgj^pt. Forbiger says that the Persian empire extended at one time from 
the Indus to the Nile, and that the Eomans, in Virgil's time, were accustomed 
to designate the several countries of Asia lying beyond Syria, to the east or 
south, either by the name of Persia, Media or India. 

291. Et viridem, etc. The order is, et amnis devexus, etc. . . . fecundat 
viridem, etc. Wr. is disposed to reject this and the two following verses, as 
to the order of which there is great diversity in the Mss., but he gives no suf- 
ficient reason for such a course, though the interpretation of the passage has 
given rise to much controversy, and taken as a geographical description of 
Egypt, it is, as Con. observes, perhaps rather overloaded. Viridem is expres- 
sive of fertility. — Arena, see in Lex. 1. 

292. Ruens, 'pouring along,' M. — Discurr'd, 'runs different ways,' 'di- 
vides.' 

293. Coloratts, ' colored,' ' swarthy.' — Indis, here for ' the Ethiopians,' II., 
of. on G. 2, 117. 

294. Omnls regio, ' the whole region,' i. e. of Egypt, which he has just de- 
scribed. — Jacit=ponU, ' places,' ' rests,' H. — Salutem, ' safety,' i. e. spem sa- 
lutis, ' their hope of safety,' i. e. of having bees. — Arte, ' art,' ' contrivance,' 
for supplying bees. 

295. Ipsos contractus ad usus, 'narrowed (or naiTow) for that ver}^ object'; 
or, 'naiTOwed down to the bare occasion,' as we might say. Con. 

296. Hunc, scil. locum. — Angusti imbrice tecti, ' with the pan-tile of a nar- 
row roof,' 1. e. 'with a narrow roof.' The imbrices were semi-cylindrical tiles 
used to cover the lines of junction between the rows of flat tiles {tegulae) on 
the roof. Con. 

297. Premunt=coangustant, 'inclose,' 'hem in,' Wr. — Artils, 'confined,' 
' naiTOw.' 

298. A, 'on the side of,' 'towards '; see in Lex. cd), I. A. 5. — Ohl'iqua luce, 
'letting in light obliquely,' K.-, so as not M admit too much air or light, 
which would interfere with the subsequent process. Con. 

299. Turn viiulus, etc. The ' bullock's ' second year is to be past, and his 
horns already grown : Florentinus, Geop. 15, 2, says it must be thirty months 
old, Con. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 311 

300. Spiritus oris, ' the breath of his mouth,' an amplification for os, ' his 
mouth,' Con. 

301. MuUa. Cf. on G. 3, 226. — Plaglsque perempto, i. e. ' and when he is 
beaten to death.' After stopping up the nostrils of the beast, and otherwise 
preventing him from breathing, they beat him to death with heavy cudgels, 
for the purpose of bruising and softening the flesh and bones, so as to hasten 
decomposition ; while at the same time they are cautious to keep the hide 
sound, Br. 

302. Tunsa per intefjram pellem. , Per denotes the medium thi'ough which 
the blows are to pass, Con. Solruntur signifies that the body is to be 
' crushed ' and ' mashed up,' Con. — Viscera, ' the flesh.' Cf. on G. 3, 559. 

303. In clauso, see clausum (a) in Lex. under 1. claudo. Florentmus says 
that the bullock is to be laid on a heap of thyme, and the door and windows 
closed up with mud, so as to exclude light and air. After three weeks the 
chamber is to be opened, and light and air admitted, care only being taken 
to keep out wind. When the carcass appears to have got air enough, the 
place is to be fastened up again as before, and left for ten days longer. Con. — 
Ramea fragmenta, ' boughs.' 

304. Casias. Cf. on G. 2, 213. 

305. This is done in the beginning of Spring. — Zephyris. This wind is 
said by Pliny to begin to blow about the eighth of February, M. 

306. Rubeant. Cf. on G. 2, 319, and see Gr. § 263, 3. 

307. Tiynis, ' beams,' ' rafters.' — Hirundo. The swallow is chosen as the 
proverbial harbinger of spring, Cun. It made its appearance in Italy from 
the 20th to the 23d of February, Col. 11, 2, 22. 

308. According to Florentinus, when the chamber is opened on the eleventh 
day, clusters of bees will be found, while of the bullock nothing will remain 
but horns, bones, and hair: he adds that the queen-bees "are said to be gen- 
erated from the brain and spinal marrow, those from tlie brain being the 
finer, the common bees from the flesh of the caj.-cass, Con. — Teneris, 'tender,' 
probably refers to the pounding which the bones have undergone, see on v. 
301, Con. : quia haec ipsa contusa coUiquescunt, H. — Humor, ' the moisture,' 

* the animal jiiices,' not ' the blood,' as Serv. and H. explain it. Con. 

309. Aestunt, 'heaves,' 'fei^ments'; see in Lex. 3- — Visenda=spectanda, 

* worth seeing.' — Modis miris qualifies a.nimalia, as if it had been mira. Con., 

* after a sti-ange sort,' ' wonderful.' Cf. on G. 1, 477. 

310. Trunca pedum, ' deprived of feet,' i. e. ' without feet.' Gr. § 213. 

311. Miscentur, ' assemble,' ' swarm ' ; see in Lex. I. B. 3. — Magis magis, 
see in Lex. magis, A. 2, b. under magnus. — Aera carpunt, 1. e. ' fly through — .' 
See in Lex. carpo, II. 4. 

313. Erupere. Cf. on G. 1, 49. — Sagiitae, scil. erumpunt. 

314. Prima for prinio, 'first.' — Leves, 'light,' i.e. 'light-armed': leves 
nunc ad armaturam, Philarg. — Si quando, i. e. ' whenever,' ' when.' — Parthi. 
Cf. on E. 10, 59. The reference here is to the showers of arrows with which 
they begin the battle, Con. 



812 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 



315. Quis deus — quis, scil. deus. — Ariem, ' art,' of generating bees in the 
manner just described. 

316. Inpressus cepit^ ' take its rise,' ' begin.' — Rominum experientia^ ' expe- 
rience of men,' i. e. in following the discovery communicated by the god. 
The device itself was of a divine, not of a human origin, Con. 

317. Fugie7is=relinquens, H. Aristaeus is supposed at the time of the 
narrative to be still living in Thessaly, H., Con. 

319. Extremi amnis, ' of the remotest part of the river,' instead of extre- 
vium caput, ' the far-distant source ' or ' fountain head.' Burm. thinks that 
the scene below requires a much larger body of water above than could be 
found at a river's soui*ce ; but the description is evidently not meant to be re- 
stricted by physical possibility, vistas of caverns being developed as easily as 
those in the Arabian Nights, or as the castle at the top of the bean-stalk in 
the child's tale, Con. — Sacrum. Cf. on E. 1, 53. — Amnis, the Peneus. 

320. Affatus, scil. est, K. 

821. Cyrene, the mother of Aristaeus, Avas the daughter or grand-daughter 
of the Peneus. Cf. on v. 354. — Gurgitls, ' stream ' or ' spring.' 
322. Tenes, ' dost occupy,' ' inhabitest.' 

321. Invls/im falls, ' odious to,' ' an object of dishke to the fates,' i. e. un- 
lucky. 

325. Pulsus (est), ' driven away,' ' banished.' — Amor nostri, ' your love for 
me.' — Caelum sperare: so Aeneas, as the son of a goddess, looks forward to 
deification, A. 1, 250; 12, 795, Con. 

326. Hunc ipsum, etc., ' this crown of my mortality,' i. e. this thing which 
gave a dignity to my mortal existence, the praise of rural success, which 
falls within a mortal's sphere, and is his natm-al solace under the limitations 
of humanity, Con. 

327. Quen mihi, etc. The order is, quern custodia sollersfrvgum et pecudum 
vix extuder'at mihi tentanti omnia. 

328. Te maire, ' though you are my mother,' who art a goddess and might 
have averted this misfortune. 

329. l2)sa, ' thine own.' — Felices silvas, ' fruitful groves,' i. e. plantations 
of fruit trees, //., Con. 

331. Sata, as Martyn observes, probably refers to ' young plants,' set out. 

332. Taedia ceperuni, like dementia cepit, E. 2, 69, as we might talk of a fit 
of weariness and disgust. Con. 

333. The following passage is imitated from E. 18, 35, sq., where Thetis 
hears the cries of Achilles, though the Nereids there enumerated are not sit- 
ting witli her, but are summoned by her shrieks, H., Con. — Sonitum sensit, 
' heard the sound ' : it would seem from vs. 353, sq., that she did not distin- 
guish the words. Con. — Sub thalamo, ' under the chamber,' i. e., says Coning- 
ton, under the roof of the chamber. Thalamo is explained by v. 374 to be 
the chamber in which Gyrene was sitting, which is supposed to be what we 
by the same metaphor call the bed of the river. Con. The picture, as Heyne 
observes, is drawn from the manners of the heroic age, when royal ladies sat 
in their chambers spiiming with attendants about them. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 313 

334. Earn circum, Gr. § 279, 10, (a) & {f).—Milesia. Cf. on G. 3, 306. 
The finest of wool is cliosen, with Virgil's characteristic love of local epi- 
thets, as fit material for the work of these goddesses. Con. 

335. Carpebant. Cf on G. 1, SQO.—Hyali. A green color, like that of glass, 
would be naturally appropriate to the sea nymphs, Con. 

336. Drymo, us, f , a sea-nymph. This muster-roll is studied after the list 
of Nereids in II. 18, 39, sq., though the names are different in Virgil, who in- 
cludes land-nymphs as well. Con. — Such enumerations, as Heyne says, are 
common in the old poets and in their Roman imitators, especially Ovid, Con. 

337. Caesariem effusae, etc., i. e. ' their shining hair spread over,' etc., Gr. 
§ 234, 11. 

338. Thalia, see in Lex. III. — Cymodoce, es, f , a sea-nymph, daughter of 
Nereus and Doris. — This verse is wanting in many of the Mss., and it was prob- 
ably inserted here by some copyist, from A. 5, 826, where it occurs again. 

339. Flnva, ' yellow-haired,' like Ganymede Jlavo, Hor. 3 Od. 4, 4, Con. 

340. Lucinae. Cf on G. 3, 60, and see in Lex. I. B. 

342. Ambae (Incinctae) anro, etc., ' both girt about,' ' begirt with gold,' etc. 
There is no need to restrict auro to the zone, with Forb., as these huntresses 
may have been equipped like Dido, A. 4, 138: Cid pharetra ex auro, crines 
nodantur in aurum, aurea purpuream subnectit fibula vestem. Wagner refers 
to Callim., Hymn to Artemis, v. 42, where the goddess chooses nymphs for 
the chase out of the Oceauides, Con. — Pictis. Cf on G. 3, 243; 'variegated,' 
'spotted.' 

343. Epliyre, es, f., a sea-nymph, daughter of Oceanus. Cf. on Actaeo, 
E. 2, 24, and see Metrical Key.— ^sia, ' Asian.' Cf on G. 1, 383. 

344. Tandem positis sagittis, i. e. after a long chase she had just left her 
hunting, in which she delighted, and joined the company in the cavern, Con. 
—Arethusa. Cf on E. 10, 1. 

345. Curam inanem, ' the fruitless care ' or ' pains,' referring to Vulcan's 
guardianship of his wife, Avhich Mars contrived to elude, Con. — Narrabat. 
The custom of singing during spinning or weaving is as old as the Odyssey, 
(5, 61; 10, 221); and in Theocr. 24, 76, sq., Teiresias tells Alcmena that the 
Argive women shall sing of her as they sit spinning in the late evening, Con. 

346. Fvrta, i. q. furtici amoves, Forb.; see in Lex. II. B. 2. 

347. Aque Chao, ' and from Chaos,' i. e. from the earliest times. — Densos, 
' numerous.' 

348. Carmine quo, like quo motu, G. 1, 329 ; where see note. Con. — Mollia. 
Cf on E. 8, 64. 

349. Devolvunt, 'spinoff'; this apparently expresses, says Con., the car- 
rying down of the thread, by the weight of the spindle, as it was formed. — 
Jterum: the sound had already reached Cyrene, v. 333, and we are left to 
infer that she did not take notice at once, while the description in the inter- 
mediate lines as it were fills up the interval between the first and second 
appeal. Con. 

350. Viti-eis probably includes both glass-green color and glassy bright- 
ness, Con. Cf. on V. 335. 

27 



314 BOOK IV. ^OTES. 

351. Sorores, 'sisters,' as Heyne remarks, is used rather widely, the 
nymphs being, as we have seen, of various kinds, while in v. 341 two seem 
discriminated from the rest as sisters. Con. 

353. Procul, scil. dixit. Procul, ' from afar,' gives an idea of the distance 
of the abode of Cyrene from the surface of the river, K. — Geniitu, 'wailing,' 
'lamentation.' — Frustra, see in Lex. II. B. 

354. J/Jse tibi, etc. The order is, ipse tristis Aristaeus, tua maxima cura, 
Stat tibi lacrimans ad undam Penei, (scil. tui) geniioris. But if we follow the 
authority of Pindar, (P. 9, 13), who makes Peneus to have been the grand- 
father of Cyrene, genitoris would be merely an ornative epithet, such as is 
applied to river gods, and gods generally, who by watering the etu-th, or by 
conferring other benefits on mankind, are looked upon as standing to the 
human race in the relation of kind and thoughtful parents, Br. Cf. on E. 8, 6. 

356. Aristaeus' cry is supposed to be criidelis mater Cyrene, which is in 
fact the substance of what he has already said: cf. on E. 5, 23, Con. — Te cru- 
delem nornine dicii, ' calls thee by name, cruel,' ' is crying on thee by name for 
thy cruelty,' Con. 

357. Huic, ' to her,' i. e. to Arethusa. — Percussa mentem. Cf. on E. 3, 106, 
inscripti nomina. — Nova is not to be understood like iterum, v. 349, of a fresh 
access of terror, but simply of terror as a new feeling succeeding a more ordi- 
nary'- state of mind, (so A. 2, 228, turn vero tremefacia nanus per pectora cunctis 
insinuat p)avor) : it will then be rhetorically equivalent to subitus or repentinus, 
by which Heyne translates it, though it may also have a sense of 'unusual,' 
the fear in this case being a feeling alien to a goddess, Con. 

358. Age, see in Lex. IV. — Fas illi, as being the son of a god, K. 

360. Gressus inftrret, • might enter.' 

361. Curvata, etc. He represents the river as parting its waters and form- 
ing an arched passage, along which Aristaeus went down into the subten-a- 
nean region in which all the rivers of the earth had their origin, K. — 
In montis faciem, ' into the shape of — ,' ' like a mountain.' The mountainous 
aspect of the water has reference to its appearance from the outside, Con. 

362. 3Iisit, 'let him pass ' ; mittere nos dicitm- locus dumper eum transi- 
mus, H. 

364. Spehmcisque lacus clausos. These pools closed in with caves seem to 
be the sources of the rivers. Con. Plato supposes aU the rivers to rise from a 
gi-eat cavern, which passes thi-ough all the earth, 3f. — Lucos. He represents 
the rivers, while yet under the earth, as pursuing their course between banks 
ovei-grown with trees, H. — Sonantes, i. e. with the noise of the water. 

365. Ibat, ' went along.' — Ingenti motu aqtiarum seems to be the ' mighty 
flow of waters,' ingenti apparently referring as much to the number of the 
streams as to the size of an}^ particular river, Con. 

367. Biversa locis for diversis locis, Philarg. — Lycum. Lycus is a river of 
Pontus, H. 

368. Caput, i. e. fons. Cf. on v. 819. 

370. Saxosus sonans, ' rocky-sounding,' i. e. sounding by running over 
rocks: saxosus, adverbially. Cf. on G. 1, 163. 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 



315 



371. Ei gemina, etc., i. e. et Eridanus, taurino vuUu, ge.mina auratus cornua. 
Cf. on V. 357. So Aeneas, A. 8, 77, addresses the Tiber: corniger' Eesiieridum 
"Jluvius regnator aquarum. The origin of this ancient mode of representing 
rivers is disputed; some thinking that they are compared to bulls for their 
violence; others for their bellowing; and others from the similarity to horns 
in the spreading branches of the river, J7., Forb.^ Con. The latter explana- 
tion, as Forb. observes, is perhaps the most probable. The epithet auratus 
refers primarily to the custom of gilding the horns of oxen for sacrifice, and 
perhaps secondarily, as Cerda thinks, to the golden sands of the river. 

373. Pui-pureum, 'dark-colored,' 'dark.' — Violentior. Cf. G. 2, 451. This 
is not the character of the Po at the present day, its velocity being dimin- 
ished, perhaps in consequence of the elevation of its bed, K. 

374. In ihalami j^endentia pumice tecta, * to the roof of the chamber hanging 
with pumice-stone,' i. e. to the chamber with a hanging roof of stone; not 
one with stone hanging like stalactites, Wr., Con. 

375. Pervenium est, Gr. § 205, R. 18. — Inancs seems to be, as Coningtou 
contends, a customary epithet, ' idle tears,' which do not cure distress, ' use- 
less,' ' unavailing.' It is commonly explained to mean ' vain,' because easily 
remedied; but the context shows no such confidence on the part of Gyrene, 
and the construction of the episode seems intended to exalt the dignity of the 
remedy, as only to be obtained from a god, and that with difficulty. Con. 

376. Manibus, ' for the hands,' as if it had been manibus lavandis : the en- 
tertainment is after the manner of the heroic age, Co7i. — Ordine apparently 
means in the course of their duty, as distinguished from the others who spread 
the table, Con. — Fontes^=aguam, H. 

877. Ge?-mfflraae, ' her sisters.' — Tonsis vilUs, ' with shorn nap,' so as to be 
smooth. These towels were used for drying the hands. 

378. Pars onerani, Gr. § 209, R. 11.— Reponunt. Cf. on G. 3, 527'. 

379. Panchaeis ignibus, i. e. fed with frankincence, etc. — Adolescunt. The 
kindling of altars to the gods was part of a solemn banquet, Con. 

380. Maeonii, ' Lydian,' perhaps ' Tmolian,' G. 2, 98 ; for excellent wine 
in general. — Carchesia. The carcliesiutii was an oblong cup, contracted in 
the middle, and having two handles extending from the top to the bottom. 

381. Libemus. The libation comes after the meal, Co7i. — Simul. Cf. on 
E. 6, 26. 

882. Oceanumque patrem rerum. Virgil translates II, 14, 246, '£2*cf«i/o5, 
'doTTfp yivfffig TTavTsaai TeTVKrai, giving the words however a physical sense found 
not in the original, (which speaks of the mythological descent of the gods), 
but in later philosophy, such as that of Thales, Con. Thales was of opinion 
that all things were originally derived from water, M. — Nymphas sorores, ' the 
sister Nymphs,' either as being sisters of Cyrene, vs. 351, 377, or simply a 
sisterhood. Cf. G. 2, 494. 

383. Centum is usually regarded as here denoting a considerable but inde- 
finite number; Con. however justly observes, that both the repetition of the 
word and the tone of the passage, which expresses solemnity of enumeration, 



316 BOOK IV.— NOTES. 

such, as was usual in prayer, show that the specification of the number is an 
important ritual point. — Servant, see in Lex. II. B. 

384. Wine was poured on the altar, apparently towards the end of a 
sacrifice, partly, it would seem, with a view of quenching the fire (cf. reli- 
quias vino et bibulam lavere favillam, A. 6, 227), but partly to create a mo- 
mentary blaze, which was regarded as auspicious, (E. 8, 106), a result also 
promoted by flinging incense on the fire, (Ov. F. 1, 75, sq.), Con. — Nectar, 
used for 'wine' also in E. 5, 71. — Vestam, see in Lex. II. B. 2, and cf. on 
Vulcano, G. 1, 295. 

385. Subjecta, in a middle sense, ' mounting,' ' shooting up.' Cf. on E. 
10, 74. 

386. Firmans animurtip i. e. his mind, Con. It is also explained ' reassuring 
herself,' but this is not supported by vs. 353, 357, as CjTene's fear was before 
she knew what had happened to her son, Con. 

387. A similar fable in Od. 4, 384, is here imitated, F. — In Carpathio Nep- 
tuni ffurffite, ' in Neptune's Carpathian gulf,' i. e. in the Carpathian sea; or 
we may say that Neptuni=maris and the epithet Carpathio properly belongs 
to it. Con. 

388. Piscibus et curru lipedum equorum juncto, for curru piscibus et eguis 
bipedibus juncto, H. There is here an instance of hendiadys. The chariot 
of Porteus is represented as drawn by animals which in their hinder parts 
were shaped as fish, in their fore parts as horses, Philarg., F., hence they are 
called bipedes, because having only the fore feet, Br. 

389. Metitur is doubtless, as Heyne says, from the Homeric aXa nerprjcrav- 
T£s, Con. 

390. Emathlae, see in Lex. B. 1, and cf. on G. 1, 490. — This verse points 
to a legend variously given by Serv. and Philarg., one version being that 
Proteus originally lived in Pallene, where he had two sons, Telegonus and 
Polygonus or Tmylus, who used to wrestle with and kiU all comers, till at 
last they were themselves wrestled with and killed by Hercules, when Pro- 
teus in his grief removed to Egypt, through a sea-cavern made for the pur- 
pose by Neptune, Con. 

392. Grandaevus Nereus, frequently called yipujv by Homer, e. g. II. 1, 
358, Con. 

393. Mox with Ventura. — Ventura frahantur, equivident to ventura sint or 
futura sint, Wr. Trahantur may be explained either of distance, as in G. 1, 
235, (though the notion here is coming from the distance, there of stretching 
into it), or, with Wr., of delay, which is another aspect of the same thing, or 
of the drawing of the thread by the Fates, Con. 

394. Quippe ita, etc., i. e. Neptune has thought fit to give him this power, 
K. See in Lex. video, II. B. 3, c. — Immania amenta, ' monstrous herds,' i. e. 
sea monsters, H. 

395. Twry^es, 'ugly,' 'unsightly.' Cf. on G. 3, 52. 

397. Eventus may be taken either of what has happened or of what will 
happen; the expression in the one case being explained with Wch., quae ac- 
ciderunt jnala in melius mutet, ' may change for the better the calamities that 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 317 

have befallen you,' in the other witli Keightley, del eventus secundos, *■ m?Ly 
bring about a favorable issue,' i. e. put you on a plan of recruiting your 
hives, Con.^ Br. 

398. Pr<(ecej)ta, ^ ;\dv\Ge,' 'information.' 

399. Vim iendere aUcul==:vim adhibere., ' to employ — ' ; cf. in Lex. tendo^ B. ; 
vincula tendere cdiciii=vinculni.njicei-e, ' to put on — ,' Wch. Gr. § 323, 1, (2), (a). 
We may also explain vim ei vincula as =rm vinculorum, Gr. § 323, 2, (3). 

400. Cm Mm /irtfc seems to give a sort of physical image, combined with 
frangentui\ ' against these barriers his craft will break ' ; Inanes Avith frangen- 
tur, proleptic, Co7i., i. e. ut inanes sint, Cf. on G. 2, 219. — Haec refers to the 
vim and lylncida. — 401. Medlos aestus. Cf. on G. 1, 297. 

402. Quiim slilunt^ etc., is not co-ordinate with q?mm accenderit, but defines 
and explains it, as if he had said simul ac venerlt tempus quum sitiunt, Con. 

403. Secreta senls, ' the retreat of the old god ' ; he being supposed to sleep 
at mid-day, like Silenus (E. 6, 14) or Pan (Theocr. 1, 17), as if they were 
earthly shepherds. Con. 

404. Somno jacentem, ' lying asleep,' ' as he lies sleeping.' 

406. He will assume various transformations. — Eludent, scil. te. 

407. Horridus, ' bristly ' : sus liorridus^ ' the bristled boar ' of Gray, Con.—' 
Atra. Cf. on G. 1, 129. 

409. He will turn himself into fire or water. 

410. Excidet., see in Lex. 1. excido, I. A. — Tenues. Cf. on G. 3, 335. 

414. Tegeret quum lumina somno is a variety for quum somnus tegeret lumina, 
with the additional notion of the sleeper closing his eyes, Con., ' when he first 
closed his eyes in sleep.' 

415. Liquidum odorem^^odoratum liquorem, Con. See in Lex. ambrosia, 2. 
The object of the ambrosia seems here to be to invigorate Aristaeus for his 
struggle, Con. — Dlffundlt, i. e. per membra JiUi, H. ; the meaning of diffundit 
being nearly the same as that of perduxit. 

417. Compositls, ' well arranged,' ' put in order ' ; the epithet seems to im- 
ply that his hair was arranged at the time when the perfume was imparted, 
if not by the same process, Con. — Au7-a, see in Lex. 4, d. 

418. Habills. qui reddit habilem, H., ' making supple.' 

419. Exesi, ' hollow.' Exesus frequently occurs as a descriptive epithet 
of a cave, Cb7i. — Quo, ' where,' refers to specus. — Plurima unda, ' very many a 
wave,' ' waves in great numbers.' Cf. on G. 2, 183. 

420. Cogitur, 'is driven in.' — Sinus reduclos, ' distant ' or ' remote bays,* 
i. e. the recesses or indentations far back in the cavern, Heyne. — Scindit 
sese in, ' separates into,' i. e. separates and goes into. 

421. The outer and open part of the bay was a roadstead for ships ; — the 
cave being at the head of the bay, H. — Deprensis, of men overtaken in a 
storm, 'tempest-caught.' Cf. A. 5, 52, Argollco mari deprensus, and Hor. Od. 
2, 16, 1, in patenti jjrensus Aegaeo. — OUm, see in Lex. L C. or B. 

422. There is a rock in or near the entrance of the cave, behind which 
Proteus retires that he may sleep undisturbed, Con. — Tegit=tegere consuevit^ 
denoting habit, //. 

27* 



318 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

423. Aversum a lumine, ' removed fi'om the light,' i. e. she places him in a 
dark corner to which the light from the mouth of the cave does not pene- 
trate, Wr. 

424. Obscura, ' hidden,' ' concealed.' 

425. In order that the midday heat may be intensified to the utmost, it is 
made to occur at the time of the domination of the dog-star, Con. — Torrens 
sitientes Indos. The Indians are here mentioned not of course as having any 
topographical relation to the scene of action, but to remind us of the star in 
his fiercest operation, Con. 

426. Medium orbem, 'the middle of his path,' 'half his course.' 

427. Hauserat expresses the absorption, as it were, of the space by motion 
over it; cf. on G. 8, 104, Con: see in Lex. I. B. 2. — Cava fiumina^ etc. The 
order is, according to Forb., radii coquebant cava flumina tepefacta ad lignum 
faucibus siccis, i. e. alveis, ' the rays were drying up the hollow rivers, warmed 
down to the mud, (i. e. the mud at the bottom), in their dry channels': but 
it seems still better, with Con., to take ad limuni with tepefacta coquebani= 
tepefaciebant et coquebant. — Cava. Cf. on G. 1, 326. 

429. JS Jluctibus, from its position, seems to go with, peie^is rather than 
with ibaf, though of course either construction is tenable, O/i. 

431. Rorem amarum, ' the bitter spray.' See in Lex. ros, II. 1, and cf on 
G. 1, 385. — Some good editions have dlspergit. 

432. Sojnno, the dative,=:ac? somnum capiendum, Wr., ' for sleep.' — Diversae, 
' scattered here and there,' K. 

433. Ipse, scil. Proteus. — Olim, ' at times,' ' sometimes.' 

435. Acuunt, see in Lex. 2, h.-=—Balatibus. The lambs bleat as they are 
being driven home and folded. Con. 

436. Medius, ' in the midst of them.' 

437. Cujus facultas, etc., ' as soon as Proteus gave him the opportunity,' 
i.e. by lying down; cujus being Proteus, and quoninm for piostquam, Con. 
Cujus is also explained as the objective^ genitive, 'an opportunity of taking 
him,' and quoniam as meaning ' since now,' ' seeing that.' 

439. Ruit, ' rushes forth.' — This and the following line are almost verbally 
translated from Od. 4, 454, 455, Con. 

440. Occupat, seizes, i. e. ' binds,' denoting the celerity with which he did 
it, H. 

441. Miracula rei-um, i. q. miras res or formas, H. Mivacula, ' portents ' ; 
not that there is any thing portentous in the things themselves, but that the 
fact of transformation is portentous, Con. 

442. Ilorribilcm feram serves as a brief summary of those enumerated, 
vs. 407, 408, Con. 

443. Fuqam, ' means of escape.' 

444. In sese redit, ' he returns to himself,' ' to his own form.' — Locutus, 
scil. est. 

445. Nam quis, i. e. qnisnam, Serv. Gr. § 137, 2. 

447. Neque est te fallere, ' nor is it possible to deceive you ' ; see in Lex. 
sma, I. B. 5, b. — Qulaquam, ' as to anything,' ' in anything.' From the awk- 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 319 

wardness of supplying fallere with a different subject in the next line, Con. 
makes te the subject of fallere, and supposes the meaning of the passage 
to be, ' thou canst not deceive me by pretending ignorance, so cease to at- 
tempt it.' 

448. Velle, scil. me fallere, H.—Beum. He speaks of his mother generally 
as 'the gods,' perhaps to intimate that it is not worth while to go into detail, 
since Proteus knows all, Con. 

449. Lapsis rebus, ' for my ruined affairs,' ' my calamity,' referring to the 
loss of his bees. — Quaesitum, Gr. ^ 276, 11. — Oraeula, ' a response,' 'an ora- 
cle,' i. e. a remedy enounced by an oracle. — Some Mss. have lassis. 

450. Ad haec=irpdi raira, ' thereupon,' i. e. in consequence of what Aris- 
taeus had last said. — Vi mulia, ' with great effort,' referring to the violence of 
inspiration under which Proteus speaks ; cf. our " fit of inspiration." It might 
however refer to the violence put on him, which would agree with v. 398, 
but the former explanation is in keeping with the picture given in the next 
two lines, Con. 

451. Intorsit, ' turned round,' ' rolled ' on Aristaeus, Con. — Lumine glauco, 
cither with ardentes or with oculos. Con. Glauco. This color is usually as- 
signed to sea-deities, Forb. 

452. Frendens, ' gnashing his teeth,' either as a mai-k of prophetic fury, or, 
if vi in v. 450 be made to refer to violence done to Proteus, of displeasure. 
Con. — Fcitts, i, e. ad edenda fata, H,, ' for the oracle,' ' to give utterance to 
the oracle.' Cf. on v. 432. 

453. Proteus now proceeds to inform Aristaeus that the cause of his dis- 
aster was the violence which he had offered to Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus, 
who in trying to escape from him was bitten by a serpent: and he relates the 
story of Orpheus' descent to Erebus in order to bring back his wife. Virgil 
is the only extant author who thus implicates Aristaeus in the death of Eury- 
dice. — Non ie nulUus, etc., an emphatic assurance tliat the affliction is a divine 
visitation. Con. Non mdlius, 'some,' Gr. i^ 277, R. 3 and R. 4, (c). — Numinis., 
i. e. Nymphnrum, cf. v. 532. 

454. Magna luis commissa, ' you are expiating a great crime.' — MiserabiUs 
Orpheus, etc. The order is, Orpheus hand quaquam ob meriium miserabilis, — 
' by no means wretched on account of desert,' not deservedly wretched, for he 
had done nothing to merit such misery, K. 

455. Poenas — suscitat. This notion of the dead man constantly crying for 
vengeance, as if fresh inflictions were continually being summoned, explains 
ni fata resistant, which is a sort of pregnant expression, the meaning being, 
that Orpheus will summon more, or that his summons will be heard, unless 
the Fates interpose, Con. Wr. supplies perpetuus futuras after jjoenas. 

456. Rapta=morte erepta, 'snatched from him by death,' Voss, Wch., 
Wr., Con. 

457. Ilia. Wagner cites A. 5, 609; 12, 901, as other instances where a 
person is indicated by a pronoun at the opening of a sentence, and afterwards 
further defined by a substantive; a mode of expression which he thinks 
taken from Homer, e. g. II. 1, 488, avrap S ix/jvie . . . nbias w>ci)j 'A^ikXevs. This 



320 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

of course does not interfere with any special propriety which may be found 
in the position of the substantive in that particular part of the particular sen- 
tence, as here, where the contrast between the serpent and the girl and 
between the thought of death and the thought of youth was doubtless in- 
tended. Con. — Dum fugeret, ' if only she might escape,' ' in her hurry to es- 
cape ' ; see in Lex. dum^ I. B. 2, a. — Per Jlumma, ' along the river,'=j?er ripam 
fluminis, ' along the bank of the river,' S. 

458. Ptiella, see in Lex. IL and cf. on mrffo E. 6, 47. — Note the delicacy 
with which Virgil, instead of mentioning Eurydice's death, intimates it by the 
single word moriiura^ Con. 

459. The water-snake is lying in the grass on the bank, Con. 

460. Chorus aegualis Dryadum for aegualium, i. e. una cum ea nutritarum, 
' the choir of Dryads, her companions ' or ' mates.' In Ov. M. 10, 9, she is 
strolling with the Naiads when she is bitten by the serpent; and Virgil may 
have meant her to be with them when she is pursued by Aristaeus, Con. — 
Supremos, i. q-. summos, ' the tops of,' K. 

461. Modopeiae. Cf. on E. 6, BO.—Arces. Cf. on G. 1, 240. 

463. Actias OritJiifia, ' Attic Orithyia.' She was carried off into Thrace 
by Boreas, and is here mentioned as the nymph of the country, J/., ff. 

464. Ipse, i. e. Orpheus. The pronoun is often thus used to recall us to 
the principal personage of the narrative, Forb., Br. — Solans, see in Lex. IL — 
Aegrum, see in Lex. 3. 

465. Te. Observe the pathetic force of the repetition of fe; Gr. § 324, 13. — 
Secum, ' by himself.' Cf. on G. 1, 389. 

466. Becedente. Cf. on E. 2, 67. Forb. also compares Hor. Od. 2, 9, 10: 
nee tibi vespiero surgente deceduni amoves, nee rapidum fugiente solem. 

467. Taenarias. The entrance at Taenarus is apparently mentioned to 
keep up the Greek coloring to the narrative, Con. 

468. Nigra formidine^^tenehns formidolosis, H., Wr. ; or see formido in 
Lex. II. — Lucum, of the abode of the spirits. Con. 

469. This and the next line are meant to intimate that he preferred his 
request to Pluto, if not that he prevailed, while the language suggests a notion 
of the difficulty of the attempt. Con. 

470. Nesciaque, etc. A paraphrase of Homer's epithet andh^^oi "AiSrji. 
Volebai dicere regem corde nescio mansuescere, H. 

471. At cantu, etc. Construe, at umbrae ienues, etc., cantu commotae^ 
'moved,' 'roused,' Erebi de sedibus ibant, scil. ad eum. Gr. § 205, Exc. to R. 2. 

472. Umbrae, see in Lex. B. 2. — Ibant, scil. ad eum, K., i. e. ' came to him.' 
— Simulacra luce carentum is from Lucr. 4, 39. Cf. on v. 255. 

473. Quam multa, i. e. (tarn multa) quam midta millia, — ' as the many thou- 
sands ' avium (quae) condunt se in, etc. 

474. Hibernus=^procellosus, H. — Agit, scil. eas. — De moniibus. Heyne com- 
pares G. 1, 374, where the cranes take shelter in the valleys, Con. 

475. This and the two following lines are repeated A. 6, 306—308: they 
are derived from Od. II, 38, sq. — Corpora heroum— heroes, H. Corpora is 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 821 

applied to the phfule,-, A. 6, 303: here we may say that, as in v. 477, he con- 
founds the dead body on earth with the spirit below, Con. 

478. Quos drctan, etc. (vs. 478 — 480,) i. e. quos Cocytus el Styx a reditu 
prohibent, H. — Circuia with ulli(jat, 'binds' or 'holds fast on all sides.' — 
Dilformis, ' unsightly.' 

479. Pahs. He calls the Cocytus a palus, on account of its sluggishness 
and its spreading itself widely, K. Conington suggests that Acheron may 
be meant hy pnhts. 

480. Interfusa, ' flowing between,' because, flowing nine times round the 
region it is supposed to enclose parts of it between each fold. Con. 

481. Ipsae: not only the patients, but the agents, the prisons and torturers 
themselves, Con. — Tntima Leii Tartara^ ' the inmost Tartarus of Death,' i. e. 
' the depths of Tartarus, where death dwells.' Intima Tartara is rightly made 
by Wagner epexegetic of domus, (like urhem et promissa Lavini moenia, A.^,!, 
258), both being constructed with Leti, Con. 

482. Caeruhos imjjlexne angues crinibus. Cf. on E. 1, 55. The sense seems 
to be that the Furies had snakes twisted among their hair, i. e. growing from 
their heads and matted or entwining themselves with the natural hair, Con. 

483. Eumenides. Cf. on G. 1, 278. — Tenuity 'restrained,' of abstinence from 
b:n-king. — Inhians, ' gaping,' a-gape on Orpheus, Con. — Cerberus. This dog 
witli three heads guarded the entrance of the infernal regions. 

484. Ixlonii rota orbis, ' the wheel of Ixionic circle,' i. e. the wheel of Ixion 
of circular form; cf. on G. 3, 38; E. 9, 58: or perhaps oi^bis, ' the wheel,' rota^ 
' the rotation.' — Vento, ' by the wind,' i. e. cessante vento^ qui rotam circumage- 
bai, Wr. ; cf. on E. 2, 26. The wind is supposed to be the cause, not the 
efl'ect of the wheel's motion; it is charmed to rest by Orpheus' music, and its 
rest is made the cause of the wheel's standing still. Con. 

485. Virgil simply indicates the giving of the consent, by the epithet red- 
diia, and only mentions the condition parenthetically, as an after-thought, 
Con. — Pedem ref evens, ' withdrawing,' ' returning.' 

487. Legem, ' condition.' Again we are left to collect from the context, 
that Orpheus was specially ordered not to look back. Con. 

488. Dementia cepit. Cf. E. 2, 69; 6, 47. — Amantem, 'lover.' 

489. Manes, ' the infernal deities.' 

490. Luce sub ipsa, ' on the ver}'- verge of light,' K. 

491. Viitus aniini, ' overcome in mind,' 'overcome,' scil. by longing. Gr. 
§ 213. Cf. G. 3, 289, and amens animi, A. 4, 203. 

492. Effusus, ' wasted,' ' spent to no purpose,' ' vain.' — Immitis seems to 
imply that the condition was a cruel one, and that Pluto will not relent even 
thus far a second time, Con. 

493. Foedera,- 'the condition.' Cf. on v. 487, and G. 1, 60. — Fragor, 'a 
crash.' The best commentary. Con. saj^s, on ierque fragor stagnis auditus 
Avernis is Martyn's citation of Milton, Par. Lost, 9, 782: 

" Earth felt the wound; and Nature from her seat. 
Sighing through all her works, gave sign of woe, 
That all was lost." 



322 BOOK lY. NOTES. 

And again, ib. 1000: 

" Earth trembled from her entrails, as again 

In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan ; 

Sky lowr'd ; and, muttering thunder, some sad di'ops 

Wept at completing of the mortal sin 

Original." 

Voss's opinion that the sound is occasioned by the force exerted to bring Eu- 
rydice back would surely spoil the poetry of the passage, Con. — Stagnis Aver- 
nis, ' from the Avernian lake.' 

494. Here as well as in the next line quis goes with tmitus Juror, Con. 

495. Furor is the dementia of v. 488, Con. — lierum. We need not take 
iterum in the sense of rursus, as Forb. thinks. It is true that the Fates were 
not calling Eurydice a second time retro, but they were calling her a second 
time, and there is nothing strange in supposing Virgil to have combined the 
two forms of expression, vocant retro and vocant iterum, Con. 

496. Gondii, see izi Lex. 11. B. — Natantia, ' swimming.' We use this word 
in the same sense, of the ej-es of a person at the point of death, K. 

497. Ingenti circumdata nocte, a contrast to the light into which they Avere 
just emerging, v. 490, as in no7i tua we have another contrast to Eurydicen 
suam, Con. 

498. Invalidas palmas : in uinb)'ae tenuitatem reductas, Serv., the Homeric 
aiievr]v6s, Con. 

499. Ceu fumus commixtus, (scil. ai^ra, fugit) in auras tenues. 

500. Diversa, ' a different way,' ' in an opposite direction.' 

501. Prensantem umbras, ' grasping the shadows,' i. e. clutching the dark- 
ness in the hope of embracing his wife, Con. Forb. takes umbras to mean 
* the shade ' of Eurydice. 

502. Praeterea, see in Lex. ill. — Portiior Orci, see in Lex. portitor, A. 2. 

503. Objectam. Cf. on G. 3, 253. — Passus, scil. est ilium. — Paludem seems 
here to be the Styx, Con. Cf. on v. 479. 

504. Se ferret, ' betake himself.' 

505. The latter part of the line seems merely to repeat the former. Manes 
being extended so as to include the powers below as well as the shades 
subject to them, as in v. 489: numina is elsewhere applied to the mfei-nal 
powers, Con. 

506. This verse adds much to the force and beauty of the passage, serving 
at once to complete the picture of hopelessness as presented to Orpheus' 
mind, and to balance her fate with his, which is described in the subsequent 
lines. Con. — Jam seems to go with frigida: all the warmth of life by this time 
had left her, and she was a ghost again, Con. 

507. Ex ordine, see in Lex. ordo, I. B. 3. 

508. Eupe sub aeria, a picture like E. 10, 14, Con. — Deserti, ' deserted,' 
i. e. 'lonely,' K. 

509. Haec, i. e. casus suos, If. — Ecolcisse, see in Lex. L B. 1, and H. B. 



BOOK lY. NOTES. 323 

510. Tigres. Tliere were no tigers in Thrace ; but in like manner Shak- 
spcare talks of a lioness in the forest of Ardennes in France, K. — Agentem, 
i. e. ducentem. Cf. on E. 8, 17, K. 

511. The celebrated simile which follows is compounded from Od. 19, 518, 
sq., and 16, 216, sq., the former of which describes the nightingale singing as 
if in lamentation for her lost Itylus, while the latter speaks of vnltures 
screaming for the real loss of their young, Con. 

514. Noctem, ' all night,' ' the Avhole night long' ; Gr. § 236. 

515. Integrat, 'renews' or ' repeats,' the nightingale constantly recurring 
to the same notes,, Ckm. 

516. Venus^ ' love,' ' passion.' — Eymenaei^ see in Lex. II. B. 

517. Eyperhoreas. Cf. on G. 3, 196. 

518. Numquam viduata, ' never bereft of,' i. e. * never free from.' 

520. Spretae^ etc., ' by which tribute the Ciconian matrons being slighted,' 
i. e. feeling themselves slighted. 3funus is technically used of funeral 
honors; hence quo mimere means, 'by a tribute like this,' or as we might 
say, ' by this Avay of honoring his wife,' Con. This, which is in substance 
the interpretation also of Voss, H., Wr. and Forb., seems a satisfactory ex- 
planation of this disputed passage. — Matres seems at first sight a strange 
word for the marriageable women of Thi-ace, but it seems to be applied to 
them as Bacchanals, like dvovaav "AlSov ixrirep', Aesch. Ag. 1235, Con. 

521. Nocturni, because the orgies were celebrated at night, ff. — The story 
as told by Ov. M. 11, is that the Thracian women, while in the midst of their 
orgies, accidentally saw Orpheus, remembered his scorn, and so tore him in 
pieces. Con. 

523. Marmorea, ' white as marble,' see in Lex. 11. B. 

524. Oeagrus Avas the father of Orpheus, so that Oeagrius here=pater- 
nus, Con. 

525. Vox ipsa, the mere voice, as if it were a separate organ, like the 
tongue. Con. — Frigida. Cf. on v. 506. 

526. Voccibat, ' cried out ' ; not that he invoked her in death, which the 
mode of the address contradicts, but that he went on lamenting her in death 
as in life, Con. 

527. Toto Jlumine, ' through the whole stream,' seems to mean over the 
■whole breadth of that part of the stream down which the head floated while 
it still retained its power of speech, Qm. — Eeferebant, ' repeated,' ' answered,' 
* echoed back.' 

528. Haec Proteus, scil. dixit. — Se jactu dedit, i. e. 'threw himself,' 
'plunged.' Jrtcte expresses the mode, like lajjsu effugiunt, A. 2, 225, cursu 
tendil, ib. 321, Con. 

529. Qu.aque dedif, i. e. ' and where he plunged.' — Spumantem undam, etc., 
' he wreathed the water in foam under the eddy ' ; the poet's object being to 
give the two images, of a body shooting down and sending up water, and 
of the eddy that agitates the surface. Con. Heyne makes sub veHice torsit 
equivalent to vertice or in verticem torsit ; ita 2it vertex Jieret, ' whirled in an 



824 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

eddy,' caused the water to whirl so as to form an eddy: so Wr., Forh. and 
others. 

530. At non Cyrene: some verb generally equivalent to dedit and iorsit 
must be inferred from the preceding sentence, as we might say, ' but Cyrene 
did not leave him thus abruptly,' Con. — Ultro, 'without waiting to be 
addressed,' or as we might render it, 'spoke at once,' Ckm. See in Lex. 
tinder ulter^ III. B. c. 

531. Proteus having told the cause of the loss of the bees, Cyrene sup- 
plies the mode of recovering them, K. — Dtponere^ ' to dismiss.' 

532. Hinc, etc. The order is, hinc Nyrnphae, cum quibus, etc., misere apibus 
miserabile exitium. Hinc, see in Lex. IIL 

533. Ilia, i. e. Eurydice. — Chores agitabat, ' used to celebrate choral dances,' 
' used to dance.' 

585. Tende, ' hold forth,' ' ofl'er ' ; this pictures the attitude of suppliance, 
outstretched hands with gifts in them. Con. — Pacem, see in Lex. L B. — 
Faciles^placabiles, H. 

586. Votis, connected with dabunt, as if he had said j^i^^canti, Con. 

537. Ordine dicam, — 'in order,' 'in due order' ;=:i|?7y7(7o//at, ordine ex- 
pressing ritual exactness of detail. Con. 

588. Eximios. This word is said by Festus (s. v.) and Macrob. (Sat. 3, 5) 
to be primarily used, as here, of cattle selected for sacrifice, Con. — Praes- 
tanti corpore, 'of superior beauty ' : he often uses this expression; see A. 1, 
71; 7,783, K. 

539. Lycaei. The locality here agrees with his title, Arcadius magister^ 
V. 283, but scarcely with the topography of the present story, v. 817, Con. 

540. Intacta, scil. jngo, ' never yoked.' 

541. Dearum, \. e. Nympharum, v. 532. 

542. Demitte, ' let down,' i. e. cause to flow down upon the ground, Forh. — 
Cruorem corporaque ipsa. Cf. on. G. 2, 297. 

545. Inferias, ' as funeral offerings,' Con. — Orphei. Cf. on E. 4, 57. — 
Lethaea. Cf. on G. 1, 78. — Paimvera: nothing is said by the commenta- 
tors to illustrate or explain this offering of poppies, in what form it M^as 
made, etc. : — is it possible that the reference may be to the (ifXiTTovra, or 
honey-cake, placed by the side of the corpse, and intended probably for 
Cerbenis, which we may assume to have been made with poppy seed ? Con. 
— Miites, ' you shall offer,' or ' make.' 

546. Nigravi mactahis ovem: so Aeneas (A. 6, 249, sq.) sacrifices a black 
lamb to Night and Earth, Con. 

547. The genuineness of this line is disputed by Heyne and Wagner, 
and as it is commonly understood, as if it were merely an additional in- 
junction, {praeterea Earydicen vitula cnesa placahis, Jahn), there is cer- 
tainly some awkwardness in its position after lucumque revises, and without 
any introducing particle: but the line will gain greatly in force and pro- 
priety, if we suppose it to contain an intimation from Cyrene that her son 



BOOK IV. NOTES. 325 

v/ill find his bees restored, and that then he is to offer a calf as a thank- 
offering to Eur jdice : ' you will go back to the grove . . . and then, finding 
Eurydice appeased, you will honor her,' etc. Con.^ Lade. The sacrifice of the 
bulls and the offerings to Orpheus have appeased Eurydice, being really 
offered to her as well. Con. 

651. Ducit, ' leads to the altar,' Con.— The repetition of the lines that have 
just occurred is an imitation of the Homeric narrative, Con. 

552. Induxerat, ' had ushered in,' into the sky. Con. 

554. Monstrum, ' a prodigy,' ' wonder.' — This passage and vs. 308, sq. 
illustrate each other. Here the bodies of the oxen are not bruised, but 
the dead flesh becomes deliquescent, and the sides give way, when the bees, 
which are supposed to form in the stomach, force their way through. Con. 

555. Aspiciunt, i. e. Aristaeus and those with him. — Viscera. Cf. on G. 3, 
559; 4,302. 

556. Stridere . . . effervere, etc., Gr. § 272, R. 5. These infinitives may be 
taken either as depending on aspiciunt, (Wr.) or as in apposition to monstrum, 
(Wch. and Forb.) 

557. The swarming of the bees is described much as in vs. 58, sq.. Con. — 
Arbore, Gr. § 254, R. 3. 

558. Uvam demiitere is doubtless suggested by PorpvSdv Se nirovTai, II. 2, 89, 
Con., ' letting down a cluster,' i. e. hanging down like a cluster of grapes. 
See in Lex. uva, II. B. 

559. Haec, i. e. the Georgics, Serv. — Super cultu=zde cultw, see in Lex. stir- 
per, II. B. b. Cf. A. 1, 750, multa super Priamo rogitans, super Heciore multa. 
— The summary of the contents of the Georgics is more rapid and less exact 
than that with which the poem opens. Bees are omitted altogether, as the 
poet doubtless felt that his reader was not likely to forget them. Con. Serv. 
and Forb. think the bees are included in pecorum. — Canebam . . . dum fulmi- 
nat. Cf on E. 7, 7. 

561. Fulminat, ' thunders,' like fulminat Aeneas armis, A. 12, 654, where 
the image is that of Jupiter hurling his thunderbolts on the world: so the 
Scipios are called fidmina belli, A. 6, 842, Con. — For the event here referred 
to cf. on G. 2, 171. The meaning is evidently that the poem was finished 
while these Eastern operations, which were the work of some time, were 
taking place, Con. — Volentes, some of the nations having sent embassies to 
him, H.—Bello, <with' or 'in war,* Gr. § 247, 3, or 2. 

562. Per populos dat jura=leges imponit pqpulis, Wr. Dat jura, of gov- 
erning, is frequent in the Aeneid, Con. — Affectat, ' enters on.' — Olympo, i. e. 
ad Olympum=ad immortalitatem; cf. v. 325, and on E. 2, 30, G. 2, 306. 

563. Vergilium. This is the older and more correct spelling of this word, 
Wr. It is adopted also by Forb. , Lade, and Con. — The contrast between the con- 
queror and the poet, which had been hinted in the previous lines, is here 
drawn out, not only the occupations being compared, but the places, and 
even the names. Con. 

28 



326 BOOK IV. NOTES. 

564. Partlienope, i. e. Naples, see in Lex. — Siudiis florentem, * abounding 
in the studies,' ' fully occupied with ' or ' full of the pursuits,' ff. — TgnoUUs, 
' without honor,' ' inglorious,' i. e. as compared with the fame acquired by 
military exploits and distinguished civil, services, ff. — Oti, ' inactivity,' ' ease,' 
opposed to active life. 

665. Carmina pastorum is not carmina pastoralia, but refers to the actual 
Bongs of shepherds in the Bucolics, Con. — Lusi, see in Lex. IL A. 

566. Tityre, etc. Cf. E. 1, 1, which shows that sub tegmine fagi refers to 
Tityrus, Con. 



METRICAL KEY 



ECLOGUES AND GEORGICS OF VIRGIL. 



ECLOGUE I. 

33. peculi— cras/s, Gr. § 306, 1, (5). 
39, aberat— caeswm, Gr. § 309, (1). 

50. insueta — synaeresis, Gr. \ 306, and (3). — The ue in suesco audits deriva- 

tives is ahoays, in Vir(/il, a single syllable. 
69. tugui-i — crasis. 

ECLOGUE IL 

24. Actaeo — caesura — quantity preserved. 
53. prima — a not elided^ Gr. § 305, 1, (3). 
65. — interj.^ never elided, here made short, Gr. § 305, 1, (1). 

ECLOGUE IIL 

6. pecorl — caesura — quantity preserved. 

58. delnde — synaeresis. 

63. lauri — caesura — quantity preserved. 

79. vale — e not elided, and shortened before the fidhioing vowel, Gr. § 305, 1, (2). 

96. reice — synaeresis. 

97. erit — caesura. 

ECLOGUE IV. 

51. terrasque — caesura. 

55. Or])hews—diphthon(/, Gr. § 283, L Exc. 6, Note 2, and § 9, 3. 

57. Orphel — this Greek dative may either be used as a dactyl, or reduced 6y 

synaei'esis to a spondee. In G. 4, 545, 555, it is a spondee. Gr. § 54, 5. 
61. tulerunt— s?/s<o/e, Gr. § 307, (2). 

327 



328 METRICAL KEY. 

ECLOGUE V. 
15 delude — synaeresis. 

ECLOGUE VL 

30. Orphea — synaeresis. 

42. Promethei — synaeresis. 

44. Hyla, Hyla — in ike first the a not elided^ and retained long: in the latter 

unelided and shortened lefore a vowel. 
53. fiiltus — caesura. 
78. Terei — synaeresis. 

ECLOGUE VIL 

7. deerraverat — i. e. derraverat — synaeresis. 

23. facit — caesura. 

53. juniperi — castaneae — caesura — quantity preserved — a spondaic line. 

54. sua, i. e. swa, synaeresis, Gr. § 806, (3). 

ECLOGEE Vm. 

41. peril — caesura — quantity preserved. 
44. Ehodope — caesura — quantity preserved. 

' > Orpheus — a diphthong. See on E. 4, 55. 
56. ) 

81. eodem — synaeresis — un' eo, a spondee. 

108. qui — unelided, hut shortened before a. 

ECLOGUE IX. 

66. puer — caesura. 

ECLOGUE X. 

12. Aonie — caesura — quantity preserved. 

13. lauri — caesura — quantity preserved. 
69. amor — caesura. 

GEOEGIC L 

4. pecon — caesura — quantity preserved. 

31. Tethys — caesura. 

106. deinde — synaeresis. 

138. PleTfadas — caesura. 

153. lappaeque — caesura. 

164. tribulaque — caesura. 

221. Eoae — caesura — quantity preserved — a spondaic line. 

279. Typhoea — synaeresis, like Orphea, E. 6, 30. 

281. conati — caesura — quantity preserved. — Pelio — the o preserved and short- 
ened. 

295. humor 'Et — synapheia and elision, Gr. § 307, 3, and 305. 



METRICAL KEY. 329 

341. agni — caesura — quantity preserved. 

352. aestusque — caesura. 

371. Eurique — caesura. 

-S97. tenuia— i. e. tenwia, Gr. § 306, 1, (3). 

437. Glauco — the o unelided: — Panopeae — the ao unelided, hut made short. 

482. fluviorum— i. e. fluvyorum, Gr. § 306, 1, (3). 

GEORGIC n. 

5. gravidus — caesura — a spondaic line. 

71. fagus — caesura, if a nom. sing. 

79. delude — synaeresis, 

86. i-adil — caesura — quantity preserved. 

101. AU—crasis for diis, Gr. § 306, 1, (5). 

121. tenuia — synaeresis, i. e. tenwia. 

129. miscue — a dactyl by systole, or a spondee by synaeresis. 

144. oleae — caesura — quantity pi'eserved. 

180. tenuis — i. e. ten wis, synaeresis. 

200. deerunt=:deriiut — synaeresis. 

211. enituit — caesura. 

233. deeruntz=derunt — synaeresis. 

344. qu' Inter — synapheia and elision. , 

443. qxi' Hinc — synapheia and elision. 

453. alveo — synaeresis. 

464. Ephyreia— Gr. § 283, Exc. 6, (1). 

487. Spercheos— Gr. § 283, Exc. 6, (1). 

488. Tayget'— Gr. § 283, Exc. 6. 

GEORGIC III. 

44. Taygetl— Gr. § 283, Exc. 6. 

60. pati — caesura — quantity preserved. 

76. ingreditur — caesura. 

118. labor — caesura. 

155. pecori — caesura — quantity preserved. 

167. dehinc — e not elided, but shortened before the i. 

168. assuerint syncope for assueverint, Gr. § 162, 7. — assue — synaeresis, see 

on E. 1, 50. 

189. invalidus — caesura. 

242. ferarumqii' Et — synupheia and elision. 

283. miscuerunt— See on G. 2, 129. 

332. Jovis — caesura. 

377. totasqu' Advolvere — synapheia and elision. 

385. lappaeque — caesura. 

565. deinde — synaeresis. 

28* 



330 METRICAL KEY. 

GEOEGIC IV. 

34. alvearia — synaeresis. 

38. tenuia — i. e. tenwia, synaeresis. 

92. melior — caesura. 

137. tondebat — caesura. 

161. delnde — synaeresis. 

222. terrasque — caesura. 

225. deind' — synaeresis. 

232. Taygeti— Gr. § 283, Exc. 6. 

233. Plias— Gr. § 300, Exc. 1. 

243. stellio et — i. e. stell' j'et — elision and synaeresis, Gr. § 306, 1, (4). 

270. centaurea — a spondaic line. 

297. parietibus — i. e. paryetibus, Gr. § 306, 1, (3). 

336. Drymoque — caesura. 

343. Ephyre — caesura — quantity preserved. 

355. Penei — synaeresis. 

388. Proteus — diphthong. 

392. 'Kerens— diphthong, Gr. § 283, Exc. 6, Note 2. 

422. Proteus — diphthong. 

429. Proteus — diphthong — consueta — synaeresis. See on E. 1, 50. 

447. Proteu — diphtliong. 

453. nullius — caesura. 

461. Ehodopeiae — the ae unelided, hut made short before a vowel. 

463. Getae — caesura — quantity preserved. — Orithyia — yi a single syllable, as in 

the Greeh — the verse spondaic. 

628. Proteus — diphthong. 

' I Orphei — synaeresis. 
553. ) 

564. Oti — crasis for otii. 



SYNOPSIS OF POETIC LICENSES 



BUCOLICS AND GEORGICS OF VIRGIL. 



SHORT FINAL, SYLLABLES LENGTHENED BY THE CAESURA. 



Aberat, E. 1, 39. 
Erit, E. 3, 97. 
Terrasque, E. 4, 51. 
Fultus, E. 6, 53. 
Facit, E. 7, 23. 
Puer, E. 9, 66. 
Amor, E. 10, 69. 
Tethys, G. 1, 31. 
Pleiadas, G. 1, 138. 
Lappaeque, G. 1, 153. 
Tribulaque, G. 1, 164. 
Aestusque, G. 1, 352. 
Eurique, G. 1, 371. 



Gravidus, G. 2j 5. 
Fagus, G. 2, 71. 
Enituit, G. 2, 211. 
Ingreditur, G. 3, 76. 
Labor, G. 3, 118. 
Livalidus, G. 3, 189. 
Jovis, G. 3, 332. 
Lappaeque, G. 3, 385. 
Melior, G. 4, 92. 
Tondebat, G. 4, 137. 
Terrasque, G. 4, 222. 
Drymoque, G. 4, 336. 
Nullius, G. 4, 453. 



FINALi SYLLABLES PRESERVED FROM ELISION BY THE CAESURA, 
RETAINING THEIR NATURAL QUANTITY. 



Actaeo, E. 2, 24. 
Pecori, E. 3, 6. 
Lauri, E. 3, 63. 
Hyla, E. 6, 44. 
Juniperi, E. 7, 53. 
Castaneae, E. 7, 53. 
Perii, E. 8, 41. 
Rhodope, E. 8, 44. 
Aonie, E. 10, 12. 
Lauri, E. 10, 13. 



Pecori, G. 1, 4. 
Eoae, G. 1, 221. 
Conati, G. 1, 281. 
Agni, G. 1, 341. 
Eadii, G. 2, 86. 
Oleae, G. 2, 144. 
Pati, G. 3, 60. 
Pecori, G. 3, 155. 
Ephyre, G. 4, 343. 
Getae, G. 4, 463. 



331 



332 



SYNOPSIS OF POETIC LICENSES. 



PRESERVED UNELIDED UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. 

Pruna, E. 2, 53. Glauco, G. 1, 437. 

LONG SYLLABLES UNELIDED BEFORE VOWELS, AND MADE SHORT. 



0, interj., E. 2, 65. 
Vale, E. 3, 79. 
Hyla, E. 6, 44. 



Qui, E. 8, 108. 
Pelio, G. 1, 281. 
Panopeae, G. 1, 437. 
Ehodopeiae, G. 4, 461. 



CRASIS AND SYNAERESIS. 



EA. 

Orphea, E. 6, 30. 
Typhoea, G. 1, 279. 
Alvearia, G. 4, 34. 

EE. 

Deerraverat, E. 7, 7. 
Deerunt, G. 2, 200. 
Deerant, G. 2, 233. 

EL 

Deinde,(a) E. 3, 58. 
Reice, E. 3, 96. 
Promethei, E. 6, 42. 
Terei,(/i) E. 6, 78. 
Penei, G, 4, 355. 
Orphei, G. 4, 545 and 553. 

EO. 

Eodem, E. 8, 81. 
Alveo, G. 2, 453. 

I equivalent 'to Y. 
Fluviorum, G 1, 482. 
Stelli' et, G. 4, 243. 
Parietibiis, G. 4, 297. 



XL 

Peculi, E. 1, 33. 
Tuguri, E. 1, 69. 
Dis,(c) G. 2, 101. 
Oti, G. 4, 564. 

U equivalent to W. 
Sua, E. 7, 54. 
Teiiuia, G. 1, 397. 
Tei:iuia, G. 2, 121. 
Tenuis, G. 2, 180. 
Tenuia, G. 4, 38. 

UE. 

Suesco and its compounds, everywhere 
in Virgil, have sue a siiigle syllable. 

Miscuerunt, G. 2, 129, see tinder Sys- 
tole. 

Miscueruut, G. 3, 283, see under Sys- 
tole. 

m. 

Cui,(cZ) E. 1, 38. 
}imc,{d) E. 1, 21. 

The Greek diphthong YI. 
Orithyia, G. 4, 463. 



(a) In 37 places ia which deinde occurs in Virgil, it is, as here, uniformly a trochee 
by synaeresis. 

(h) Many more examples occur of the gen. in ei from nominatives in eus diphthong; 
and in all such cases Virgil invariably makes the ei a single syllable. 

(c) This crasis of dii and diis is of very frequent occurrence in Virgil. 

(</) Wherever Virgil has used cui or hide at the beginning of a foot it is accounted as 
a long syllable by synaeresis. 



SYNOPSIS OF POETIC LICENSES, 333 

SYNAPHEIA. 

Humorem, G. 1, 295. Ferarumque, G. 3, 242. 

Caloremque, G. 2, 344. Totasque, G. 3, 377. 

Cupressosque, G. 2, 443. 

SYSTOLE. 

Tulerant, E. 4, 61. Miscuerunt, G. 3, 283. See on G. 2, 

Miscuerunt, G. 2, 129 ; 129, Metrical Key. 

see also Orasis and 

Smaeresis. 



ORTHOGRAPHIA VERGILIANA. 



The orthography which Virgil employed differed in many respects from 
what is regarded as the prevalent usage, and which we have in most instances 
followed in the text of this edition. We give below the more prominent of 
such peculiarities in his orthogi-aphy. 

A, unchanged in the compounds attractare, detractare, adspargine. 

A, interjection^ instead of ah. 

Abl. often in i, Gr. § 82, Exc. 5, (rt); as tridenti, G. 1, 13; sorti, G. 4, 165. 

Ace. sing. 1st decl. in an or en in Greek proper names in as or es, as Hylan, 
Anchisen: bid Italian proper names have ani: Lucam, Numam. 

Ace. sing. 2d decl. in om for um: acervom, aevom, alvom, cavom, clavom, 
ignavom, laevom, novom, vivom. 

Ace. sing. Sd decl. of proper names in is or es ends in im, unless the metre re~ 
quires in, as in E. 5, 52. 

Ace. pi. Zd decl. of masculines and feminines usually in is, if the gen. pi. ends 
in ium, Gr. § 85, Exc. 1, «wJ 114, 2: as, amnis, artis, auris, civis, crinis, 
finis, hostis, ignis, ovis, vitis, dulcis, gravis, ingentis, omnis, talis, tris, tris- 
tis, for amnes, etc. 

Achilles, gen. Acliillis and Achilli, Gr. § 73, Rem. ; ace. Achillen, Gr. § 80, IV. 

Achivom, for Achivorum, Gr. § 53. 

Aclydes for aclides, A. 7, 730. — Acragans, Atlans, for Acragas, Atlas. 

Adcelero, adclinis, adclivis, adcommodo, adcommodus, adcumulo, for acce- 
lero, etc. So d is retained in compounds before the letters f, g, 1, n, as adfor, 
adgredior, adloquor, adgnosco for affor, aggredioi-, alloquor, agnosco ; hut 
not in aggero, alligo. So adpareo, adpello, adpeto, adplico, adpono; adqui- 
ro; adscio, adscisco; adsensus, adsentior, adscrvo, adsiduus, adsimilis, ad- 
simulo, adsisto, adspecto, adspergo, adspiro, adsto, adstringo, adsuetus, ad- 
sultus, adsum, adsurgo, for appareo, acquiro, ascio, etc. 

Adicio for adjicio. — Adque for atque. — Aecus for acquus. 

Afui, afore, for abfui, abfore. — Alcyones for Halcyories. — Allecto for Alecto. 

Alia not allia, E. 2, 11. — Ammenta for amenta. — Amurga for amurca. 

Ancora for anchora. — Anticus for antiquus. — Arruns for Aruns. 

Appenninicolae, Appenninus for Apenviinicolae, etc. — Artus y*or arctus. 

Autumnus not auctumnus. — Avolsus for avulsus. — Avonculusyor Avunculus. 

334 



ORTHOGEArHIA VERGILIANA. 335 

Baca, bacatum for bacca, etc. — Baccharis for baccaris. 

Bipinnis for bipennis. — Bovom for boum. — Bracchia for bracbia. 

Caedrus for cedrus. — Caenum for coenum. — Cohortus for coortus. 

Condicio for conditio. — Conexus, conixus, conubium, for connexus, etc. 

Conicit for conjicit. — Conlapsus, conluceo, conloquium conlustro ybr col- 
lapsus, etc. 

Conpages, conpleo, conplectoi-, conplexus, conpono, conprendo, for com — . 

Contunsus for coiitusus. — Cum for quum. — Curaba for cymba. 

Cymaeus for Cumaeus. — Damma for dama. — Dicio for ditio. 

Donysa for Donusa. — Ebysus for Ebusus. — Ecus for equus. — Ei for hei. 

Elleborus for helleborus. — Erinys for Ei-innys. — Ems, erilis for herus, etc. 

Est, preceded by a word ending with a vowel, loses its vowel and coalesces with 
the preceding word, as dolorest, laborumst, secutast, for dolore est, laborum 
est, secuta est. 

Euhoe, Euhadne, eulians, for evoe, etc. — Exira for exin. 

Faeiiilia /or fenilia.— Felix /or filix, G. 2, 189; 3, 297. 

Fluvidus for fluidus. — Fulvos for fulvus, nom. sing. A. 12, 247. 

Genesta/or genista. — Gen. of subs, in ium and ius in i not ii. 

Glaeba for gleba. — Grai for Graii. — Grypes for grypbes. 

Halaesus for Halesus. — Harcna for arena. — Harundo for arundo. 

Hebenus for ebenus. — Heia for eia. — Hiberus/o?' Iberus. — Hiemps/or hiems. 

Hirquus for hircus. — Hister for Ister. — Holus for olus. — Honos for honor. 

landudum /or jamdudum. — Idcirco for iccirco. — Idem, isdem, not iidem, etc. 

In, always tinchanged before ], as inlabor, inlacrimo, inlecebrae, inlido, inludo, 
inlustris, inluvies: so inr woHrr, as inridere, iurigare, inritus, inrumpo, in- 
ruo: so in before m, as inmanis, inmemor, inmensus, inmitis, but not in im- 
miiieo, immolo, imniunis: and in is generally retained before p, as inpar. 
inpatiens, inpiger; but impetus, impius. InbelHs for imbellis. 

Incoho for inchoo. — Inicit for injicit. — Intiba not intuba or intyba. 

J. This consonant uniformly represented by the character 1. 

Karthago /oj' Carthago. — Licuntur, licunt for liquuntur, etc. 

Milia, milibus for millia, etc. — Moerorum for murorum, A. 10, 24. 

Murra 7iot mnrrha or myrrha. — Nequiquam for nequicquam or nequidquam. 

Nisus, subst. for nixus : part, nixus ; so adnixus, conixus, enixus, obnixus. 

Noviens /w novies. — Novos for novus. — Nuntiare, nuntius, for nunciare, etc. 

Obtunsus for obtusus. — Oblicus for obliquus. — Occassus for occasus. 

Olli awe? olhs, /or illi and illis; not so in the Eclogues or Georgics, and in the 
Aeneid only in calm narration, never in speeches ; as A. 1, 254; 4, 1C5; 5, 10. 

Onites not Onytes. — Opstipesco for obstupesco. — Optutus for obtutus. 

Orontes, gen., Oronti, Gr. § 73, Bejn., ace, Oronten, Gr. § 80, IV. 

Os and on, 2d decl. He generally uses these Greeh forms in names of islands^ 
as Lesbos, Samos, Naxon, Paron: in the names of countries, mountains and 
rivers, sometimes the Greek and sometimes the Latin form, as Epiros, Aegyp- 
tos or Aegyptus, Pelion, Ismarus, Pactolus : almost always the Latin form 
for the names of cities, and rarely the Greek form for the names of men, as 
Epeos, Mnasylos. 



336 ORTHOGRAPHIA VERGILIANA. 

Parvos for parvus, «o?/i. sing. — Paenitet for poeiiitet. 

Perf. Zd pi. act. He uses both forms, erunt and ere. In the middle of a verse 
the metre determines the form , at the end he gives the preference to ere, as 
less harsh and strong, except when the perf is to have its full meaning of 

■ ^have,^ as in E. 3, 111, sat prata biberunt. 

Phalarica for falarica. — Pinna not penna. — Pistrix for pistris. 

Plemyrium for Plemmyrium. — Porsenna for Porsena. — Praegnas fm^ praeg- 
nans. 

Prius quam for priusquam. — Propincus for propinquus. 

Querella for querela. — Quidquid for quicquid. — Quotiens for quoties. 

Recocunt, relincunt for recoquunt, etc. — Reicio for rejicio. — Retunsus for 
retusus. 

Repperit, reppulit, rettulit, for reperit, etc. — Rivos for rivus, nom. sing. 

S, preceded by a long vowel or a diphthong is doubled in many words, as, adessus, 
ambessus, cassus, cassurus, caussa, eaussando, exessus, incusso, obessus, 
recusso, semiessus, for adesus, etc. 

Saeculum for seculum. — Saepes, saepire for sepes, etc. — Saturi for satyri. 

Saeta, saetiger, saetosus, for seta, etc. — Scaena, proscaenium, for scena, etc. 

Secuntur ybr sequuntur. — Sepulchrum not sepulcruni. — Serpullum not ser- 
pyllum. 

Sescenti for sexcenti, A. 10, 172. — Setius not secius. — Si quid for siquid. 

Solacium not solatium. — Succipio for suscipio. — Sulpur not sulfur. 

Submerge, submitto, submoveo, subremigo, subrideo, subrigo for summer- 
go, etc. 

Superlsitiyes, of wo7^ds of more than three syllables in imus; other superlatives, 
except pessimus and ultimus have umus, as, raaxumus, optumus, plururaus : 
so decumus, septumus. 

Tneter for teter. — Tegumen for tegimen, — Tempto for tento. 

Tinguo for tingo. — Tinia for tinea. — Torvos for torvus, nom. sing. 

Totiens for toties. — Tremesco for tremisco. — Triboli for tribuli. 

Umerus for humerus. — Umor, umens, umidus, umecto, umesco, for hu- 
mor, etc. 

Unguo for ungo. — Urgueo for urgeo.— _Vaesanus for vesanus. 

Vergilius not Virgilius. — Virecta for vireta. — Vivos for vivus, nom. sing. 

Volcanius, Volcanus, volgare, volgus, volnero, volnificus, volnus, volsus, volt, 
voltis, voltur, voltus, for Vulcanius, vulgare, etc. 

Volvont, volvontur, for volvunt, volvuntur. 



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